ANS:C - calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN)

Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is a type of fertilizer that contains both calcium and ammonium nitrate. It is a granular fertilizer widely used in agriculture for providing essential nutrients to crops. CAN is highly soluble in water, making it readily available for plant uptake. The composition of CAN typically includes:

1. Calcium Nitrate: This compound provides calcium (Ca2+) and nitrate (NO3-) ions to plants. Calcium is essential for cell wall structure, enzyme activation, and overall plant growth, while nitrate is a readily available form of nitrogen (N) that plants can uptake and use for various physiological processes, including protein synthesis, chlorophyll production, and overall growth.
2. Ammonium Nitrate: Ammonium nitrate provides ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) ions to plants. Ammonium serves as another form of nitrogen that plants can uptake and utilize. It undergoes microbial conversion in the soil to nitrate, which is then taken up by plant roots. This dual nitrogen source (ammonium and nitrate) ensures a steady and prolonged supply of nitrogen to crops throughout the growing season.

• Balanced Nutrition: CAN provides both calcium and nitrogen, addressing the nutritional needs of crops for optimal growth and development.
• Quick Nutrient Availability: Being highly soluble, CAN dissolves rapidly in soil moisture, making essential nutrients available to plants soon after application.
• Reduced Nitrogen Loss: The combination of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen in CAN helps minimize nitrogen loss through leaching and volatilization, improving nutrient use efficiency and reducing environmental impact.