Nutrient composition and chemical characteristics
Ammonium sulphate offers distinct agronomic advantages in specific soil and crop contexts.
Key chemical properties:
- Ammoniacal Nitrogen (20.6% N): Positively charged ammonium ions (NH4+) bind to negatively charged soil clay particles, resisting rapid leaching losses compared to nitrate nitrogen.
- Sulfate Sulfur (24% S): Fully water-soluble sulfate (SO4^2-) immediately available for plant uptake, vital for synthesis of sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine).
- Acidifying effect: Has a physiological acidifying action on soil, making it advantageous in alkaline and calcareous soils by lowering localized rhizosphere pH.
Crop-specific benefits and target applications
Sulfur-demanding crops derive substantial yield and quality improvements from ammonium sulphate.
Major target crops:
- Oilseeds (Mustard, Groundnut, Soybean): Sulfur is directly responsible for oil synthesis and glucosinolate production, enhancing seed oil percentage.
- Allium crops (Onion and Garlic): Significantly enhances characteristic pungency, bulb firmness, and storage shelf life.
- Plantation crops (Tea and Coffee): Widely preferred in tea gardens to maintain soil acidity (pH 4.5 to 5.5) and improve leaf quality.
- Cereals (Paddy and Wheat): Applied as a basal dressing to stimulate early vegetative tillering.
Application guidelines and subsidy framework
Apply as a basal dressing during field preparation or top-dressed during early vegetative growth. Avoid applying ammonium sulphate in highly acidic soils without liming amendments. Ammonium sulphate is covered under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme administered by the Department of Fertilizers on fert.nic.in.
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What nutrients are present in Ammonium Sulphate fertilizer?
It contains 20.6% Nitrogen in ammoniacal form and 24% Sulfur in water-soluble sulfate form.
Why is Ammonium Sulphate particularly beneficial for mustard and groundnut?
Because oilseeds have high sulfur requirements for synthesizing oil and amino acids, and the soluble sulfate directly increases seed oil content.
Is Ammonium Sulphate suitable for alkaline soils?
Yes, its physiological acidifying effect helps lower soil pH slightly around the root zone, enhancing the availability of phosphorus and micronutrients in alkaline soils.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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