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Subject: Re: ammonia for fertilizer
From: "First Rays Orchids" <raybark@firstrays.com>
Organization: NetReach InterNetNews
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 00 09:07:47
Message-ID: <MOD$000813.24924@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$000813.17123@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



I think it's interesting that you can go to west Texas, or pretty much
anywhere in the deep South, and see farmers literally squirting compressed
anhydrous ammonia directly into the soil in an attempt to increase the
residual nitrogen.

I have been told that less than 1% is retained, meaning that the rest goes
straight into the atmosphere.

I work for a chemical company, and we buy the same ammonia from the very
same folks, but for refrigeration purposes, and if we release the tiniest
amount, it's a serious environmental violation!

--

Ray Barkalow <> First Rays Orchids
http://www.firstrays.com
Secure Online Ordering

"Bill Robinson" wrote in message
news:MOD$000813.17123@rec.gardens.ecosystems...
>
> TX posted that he had seen an article in the
> paper about the use of ammonia as a "natural"
> fertilizer and asked is anyone had heard of such
> a concoction.
>
> When lightening goes through the air, some of the
> nitrogenous materials in the air are converted into
> ammonia type materials. When nitrogen fixing bacteria
> in the soil do their thing on materials containing
> nitrogen they produce ammonia type materials. Farmers
> have been using ammonia on their crops for many
> years. . . there is nothing new to this concoction
> but it is still not a complete fertilizer nor a safe
> fertilizer. It's just cheap.
>
> Nitrogen, like all of the essential plant nutrients,
> can "burn" when applied in access. A 1/3 "store bought"
> ammonia plus 2/3 water is much to much and will burn
> the lawn for sure.
>
> Plants need more than just nitrogen. . . there are
> a number of essential nutrients, including a number
> of essential trace elements, and the ammonia mix would
> be lacking in everything but the nitrogen.
>
> Your best lawn fertilizer is still going to be a layer
> of compost, composted manure, or an organic meal. Any
> of these materials are safer and contain a fuller range
> of the needed nutrients. An end-of-the-hose application
> of fish emulsion is an easy way to go and when watered
> in well does a good job but not in this summer's heat!
>
> Bill
>
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