Is Anhydrous Ammonia worth the risk?

Question

i heard it increases yield, but it can't be much, its only a little bit/acre. is it worth the risk?

Answer 1

Anhydrous ammonia forms an alkali when in contact with water, and it chemically burns animal tissue. The chemical will burn its way into the body unless it is diluted by vast quantities of water. Anhydrous ammonia is extremely destructive to animal tissue. The skin is reduced to a sticky, gooey substance as the chemical burn progresses. Skin that is chemically burned by the ammonia is actually killed and is not capable of healing or replacing itself. Damaged tissue must be removed by a medical doctor so that healing can proceed. The results can often be disfiguring.

Answer 2

It is just one of a number of chemical fertilizers that disrupt the balance of microbes that are important for a living soil environment. It kills bacteria, worms, and beneficials. It is a ready source of cheap nitrogen but it is dangerous to use, bad for the soil and air environment, and can remove other nutrients from the "soil solution" by making them unavailable threw chemical reaction and rapid shifts in the pH.

Also it is just another mechanical way in which we destroy the structure of the soil by continuously turning in and squashing it. Eventually the soil structure is ruined; pores large and small are not there and it is that consistency that the plants and the soil community thrive on. Without structure the soil becomes less alive and will be useless in a short time (geologically speaking). It will blow away if dry or wash away in a good rain in to the nearest waterway. I could go on and on.

The reverse is, as you said higher yields in the short run with little input, but those might be matched with good management practices later down the road.

Feed the people now fast big? Is it worth it?

Answer 3

Anhydrous ammonia is the best and cheapest form on Nitrogen available.  If handled properly there is very little danger in using it, so yes it is worth the risk to farmers.  There is no increase in yield over other types of fertilizer such as ammonium nitrate if the same amount of N/acre is applied, it is just cheaper.  There is some risk if used carelessly so it would be a personal choice as to rather it is worth the risk.  Most farmers use it.

Answer 4

Yes.

Answer 5

Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) contains 82% nitrogen.  The application of nitrogen to the soil where plants grow stimulates growth.  Nitrogen can be added by other means such as manure and dry type of fertilizer.  NH3 is a very efficient method of adding one form of nutrients to plants.  Corn produces big yield  gains when a balanced fertilizer program is followed.  One part of this program is approximately 300 # of N per acre.

Answer 6

Anhydrous Ammonia is 82% nitrogen and nitrogen is the main fertilizer for several crops.  It is also cheaper than other forms of nitrogen that can be purchased.  And it does increase yield dramatically.  If handled properly, Anhydrous Ammonia is perfectly safe; I handled it for several years without ever getting burned.  So yes it is worth the risk.