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910195 
Journal Article 
Comparison of Ammonium Sulfate With Other Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilizers in Increasing Crop Production and Minimizing Environmental Impact 
Chien, SH; Gearhart, MM; Villagarcía, S 
2011 
1 
Soil Science
ISSN: 0038-075X
EISSN: 1538-9243 
176 
7 
327-335 
WOS:000292301700001 
Ammonium sulfate (AS) provides critical plant nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) nutrients. Compared with other N fertilizers, such as urea and ammonium nitrate (AN), AS may have some potential agronomic and environmental benefits. These are (i) no potential toxicity of aqueous NH(3) and nitrite to plants in alkaline soils; (ii) no N loss via NH(3) volatilization when surface applied to acid or neutral soils; (iii) a better N source for saline soils by decreasing the negative specific effects of NaCl on plant growth and for saline sodic calcareous soils by improving soil structure; (iv) positive effects of soil acidification on increasing availability of soil phosphorus (P) and applied phosphate rock and soil and applied micronutrients; (v) no contribution of CO(2) emission to greenhouse gases; (vi) a potential to use AS to reduce NH(3) volatilization from urea and enhance N efficiency of urea; (vii) more acidic root rhizosphere via preference absorption of NH(4)-N of AS to NO(3)-N of AN that may increase availability of soil P, applied phosphate rock, and micronutrients; (viii) less NO(3)-N leaching from AS than AN can increase N efficiency and reduce NO(3)-N pollution in groundwater and eventually drinking water; and (ix) less denitrification with AS than AN that may increase N efficiency and minimize greenhouse gases (NO and N(2)O). Ammonium sulfate is more effective than granulated elemental S (ES) or ES-enriched NP fertilizers to provide S nutrient because AS is water soluble, whereas ES requires S oxidation to SO(4)-S. The possible negative effects of AS compared with other N and S fertilizers are high soil acidification may require more liming and a higher cost per unit of N applied. However, the N cost of AS includes free S nutrient. 
Ammonium sulfate; urea; ammonium nitrate; elemental S; agronomic effectiveness; environmental impacts