Fertiliser Technology - Engineering

Q1:

Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is

A a mixed fertiliser

B a straight fertiliser

C a complex fertiliser

D not a fertiliser ; it is an explosive

ANS:C - a complex fertiliser

Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is considered a complex fertilizer. A complex fertilizer is one that contains two or more primary nutrients, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), in varying proportions. In the case of CAN, it contains a combination of nitrogen in the form of ammonium nitrate and calcium. This combination provides a balanced supply of nitrogen and calcium to plants, which are both essential nutrients for healthy growth and development. Complex fertilizers like CAN offer several advantages:

  1. They provide a balanced nutrient supply, addressing multiple nutrient deficiencies in soils.
  2. They offer convenience in application, as multiple nutrients are supplied in a single fertilizer product.
  3. They can be tailored to meet specific crop nutrient requirements by adjusting the nutrient composition.
Therefore, Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is classified as a complex fertilizer due to its composition containing multiple essential nutrients for plant growth.