Ammonium sulfate

Ammonium sulfate (CAS 7783-20-2) is an inorganic salt supplying both nitrogen and sulfur to crops; one of the most established nitrogen fertilizers in commercial agriculture.

Where is Ammonium sulfate used?

• Fertilizer production and direct soil application: readily available nitrogen and sulfur for sulfur-deficient soils, particularly canola, wheat, and corn
• Food and fermentation: yeast nutrient and dough conditioner supporting fermentation in baked goods and brewing
• Water treatment: source of ammonia for chloramine disinfection, helping utilities maintain residual disinfectant levels
• Textile and leather processing: pH buffer in dyeing baths for uniform dye uptake
• It also functions as a pH buffer, protein precipitant, and process chemical.
• Used as an agricultural spray adjuvant.
• Widely used in tea cultivation.
• Used as a nutrient for microorganisms in wastewater treatment plants.
• Certified for use in drinking water treatment as a chloramination chemical.

Formulation notes

• For fertigation of potato, apply 200 to 300 kg/ha per season up to tuber formation.
• Compatible with other fertilizers except calcium fertilizers, which require a separate tank or application at different times.
• Compatible in mixtures with ammonium nitrate, granular urea, ammonium sulfate, triple superphosphate, single superphosphate, and diammonium phosphate.
• Can react with sodium nitrite or potassium nitrite at room temperature, forming flames and possibly exploding.

Typical specification

• Nitrogen content is minimum 21 wt%.
• Total sulfur content is minimum 24 wt% expressed as S.
• Particle size: minimum 75 wt% greater than 0.5 mm, balance maximum 5 wt% between 0.25 mm and 0.5 mm.
• For drinking water treatment, offered in FCC, purified, reagent and water treatment grades, the latter as crystals and as liquid.

Regulatory status

• In the European Union, designated with the E number E517.
• As a food additive, generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Should be stored in a dry, cool place, kept away from moisture with the packaging closed; proper storage prevents caking and preserves product quality.

Frequently asked questions about Ammonium sulfate

Can ammonium sulfate be applied through irrigation systems?

Due to its solubility, it can be used in fertigation.

How does ammonium sulfate affect herbicide performance?

Adding it to herbicide solutions increases their effectiveness by improving absorption of active ingredients by weeds.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.