Give reasons why calcium ammonium nitrate gives a more rapid crop response than urea.
- Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question i - 2008
Question i
Give reasons why calcium ammonium nitrate gives a more rapid crop response than urea.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Give reasons why calcium ammonium nitrate gives a more rapid crop response than urea.
- Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question i - 2008
Step 1
Nitrate is a form of nitrogen required by plants
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Answer
Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) provides nitrate ions that are immediately available for plant uptake, which is a crucial form of nitrogen needed for growth.
Step 2
Calcium ammonium nitrate is inorganic
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Answer
Unlike urea, which is an organic compound, CAN is an inorganic nitrogen source. Inorganic nitrogen sources are often absorbed more readily by plants.
Step 3
Urea must first be mineralized or broken down
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Before plants can utilize urea, it must undergo a process of mineralization, where it is converted by soil microorganisms into ammonium and then into nitrate. This process takes time, delaying the crop response.
Step 4
Reference to the nitrogen cycle
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The nitrogen cycle involves various processes, including ammonification and nitrification, where bacteria are responsible for converting organic nitrogen into inorganic forms. This dependency can lead to slower nitrogen availability from urea compared to CAN.
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