Question

The diagram below shows a bag of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer.

1. Classify the fertilizer.
2. Explain the effect of applying the above fertilizer on soil pH.
3. A farmer is advised to apply 50 kg of nitrogen per hectare. How many bags of the above fertilizer will this farmer require for one hectare? Show your working. 

Answer 1

1. Nitrogen/ straight fertilizer ( Neutral /  top dressing)
2.   
   • It neutralizes soil acidity - acidity produced by ammonium ions is counteracted by calcium carbonate which is a liming material
   • It raises/ increases soil pH
   • It has a liming effect.
3.   
   • if 20kg N is contained in 100kg CAN
     50kg N is contained ^{(100kg of CAN x 50kg N)}/  _{20kg N}  = 250kg of CAN
                                                 
     250kg
      50kg
     = 5 bags