Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) reacts in soil by maintaining a neutral pH balance and effectively preventing nitrogen loss, making it a highly efficient and versatile fertilizer for various soil types.
When Calcium Ammonium Nitrate is applied to soil, its neutral reaction characteristics are a key advantage. This means that, unlike some other fertilizers that can significantly alter the soil's acidity or alkalinity (pH), CAN helps to keep the soil pH stable. This characteristic makes it appropriate for all soil types, ensuring that it does not contribute to issues like acidification or excessive alkalinity, which can harm crop growth.
Preventing Nitrogen Loss: A Key Advantage
One of the most critical aspects of CAN's reaction in soil is its ability to minimize nitrogen loss, particularly through a process called ammonia volatilization. Nitrogen is a vital nutrient for plants, but it can easily escape into the atmosphere as ammonia gas (NH3) from certain fertilizers, especially urea, if not managed correctly.
With Calcium Ammonium Nitrate, this risk is significantly reduced:
- No Ammonia Loss Under Specific Conditions: When CAN fertilizer is applied by incorporating it into the soil (e.g., tilling or harrowing it in) or when it is applied prior to rainfall or irrigation, no nitrogen loss as ammonia (NH3) occurs. This is a major benefit for farmers, as it ensures that more of the applied nitrogen remains available for plant uptake.
- Enhanced Nitrogen Efficiency: By preventing this common form of nitrogen loss, CAN ensures that the nitrogen it provides (in both ammonium and nitrate forms) is efficiently utilized by crops. The ammonium part (NH4+) is held by soil particles and gradually converted to nitrate (NO3-), while the nitrate part is immediately available for absorption, providing a balanced and sustained release of nitrogen.
CAN vs. Urea: A Comparison in Soil Reaction
To better understand CAN's advantages, it's useful to compare its soil reaction characteristics with those of urea, another common nitrogen fertilizer:
| Feature | Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) | Urea Fertilizer |
|---|---|---|
| Soil pH Effect | Neutral reaction characteristics; helps maintain soil pH stability. | Can lead to soil acidification over time, requiring lime applications. |
| Ammonia Loss | No nitrogen loss (NH3) occurs when incorporated or with rainfall/irrigation. | Prone to significant nitrogen loss (NH3) through volatilization, especially when left on the soil surface. |
| Application | Versatile; effective when incorporated or applied before rain/irrigation. | Requires immediate incorporation or use of urease inhibitors to minimize losses. |
| Nitrogen Delivery | Provides both immediate (nitrate) and sustained (ammonium) nitrogen availability. | Primarily provides nitrogen in urea form, which needs conversion to ammonium and nitrate. |
This comparison highlights why Calcium Ammonium Nitrate is often favored for its reliability and environmental benefits in nutrient management. Its favorable reaction in soil leads to more predictable and efficient nitrogen delivery to crops, contributing to better yields and reduced nutrient waste.
