Question

Which of the following substances is compound fertilizer?
(A)- CAN
(B)- Nylon
(C)- Epsom salt
(D)- Ammonium phosphate

Answer 1

Hint: Fertilizers are chemical substances given to the crops to increase their productivity. These are used by the farmers to enhance the crop yield. The fertilizers constitute the essential nutrients needed by the plants, including nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. They increase the water retention capacity of the soil and also enhance its fertility.

Complete step by step solution:
-Following are the different types of Fertilizer:
(1) Inorganic fertilizer- Nitrogen fertilizer, Phosphorus fertilizer
(2) Organic fertilizers- Agricultural waste, livestock manure, municipal sludge
-The main constituents of fertilizers include- nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Its rating shows the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in a fertilizer.
-Compound fertilizers are manufactured from intentional mixing of two or more nutrients in adequate percentages, the most common being the N+P and N+P+K mixture. Choice of use of various fertilizers should be dependent on plant growth response and its quality, the kind of soil as a growth medium is also an important factor and also on the environmental pollution, and economic consideration.
-Let us now see the compounds given to us as options to analyse which of them is used as fertilizer.
-In option A, CAN is given. The calcium ammonium nitrate, also commonly called nitro-limestone or nitro chalk is vastly used as inorganic fertilizer. The term "calcium ammonium nitrate" is applied to various, but closely related formulations. Generally, calcium ammonium nitrate is used as a fertilizer. Fertilizer grade CAN contain nearly 8% calcium and 21-27% nitrogen. It is preferred for use on acidic soils, as it acidifies the soil less than many common nitrogen fertilizers. It is also used instead of ammonium nitrate where ammonium nitrate is prohibited. But it is not a compound fertilizer.
-In option B, Nylon is given. The term nylon indicates a polymer family known as linear polyamides. There are two ways to make nylon for fibre applications. Is. It is composed of repeating units tightly linked by amide links common to the peptide bonds in proteins. Uses of Nylon are given below-
(i) Clothing – Used in production of Shirts, lingerie, raincoats, underwear, swimwear and cycle wear.
(ii) Industrial– Conveyor belts and seat belts, parachutes, airbags, nets and ropes, tarpaulins and tents.
(iii) Production of fishnets.
-Option C is given as Epsom salt. Epsom salt is Magnesium sulphate which is a chemical compound, a salt with the formula MgSO ₄, consisting of magnesium cations Mg²⁺ and sulfate anions SO²⁻ ₄. It is a white crystalline solid, dissolvable in water but not in organic liquids. It is a magnesium sulfate compound, unlike sodium table salt. It has been in use for hundreds of years as a healing agent in medicinal use and as a pain reliever. It's most often added to hot baths and foot soaks to reduce stress.
-Option D is given as Ammonium phosphate. Ammonium phosphate is the salt made up of both ammonia and phosphoric acid. It is available in nature in crystalline powder form and is dissolvable in water.
The Fertilizers containing ammonium phosphate often also assist in the addition of nitrogen to the surrounding soil, further helping the growth and root development. Its solubility allows for fast excrete into the soils, which is advantageous to newer plants and plants in need of revitalization.

As the Ammonium Phosphate is the combination of all the Nitrogen and Phosphorus nutrients hence it is a Compound fertilizer. Therefore, the correct answer is option D.

Note: Let us now see why we need the use of fertilizers in the agriculture field.
-The benefits of fertilizers are mentioned below:
(i) They are easy for transportation and storage
(ii) For giving a specific nutrient we can choose a specific fertilizer due to its nutrient specific nature.
(iii) It is water-soluble. Hence, they are easily absorbed by the plants.
(iv) It has an instant effect on the crops.
(v) They enhance the crop yield and provide enough nutrients to feed the large population.
(vi) It is reliable.
-The uses of fertilizers are mentioned below:
(i) They are needed to provide more nutrients to the plants.
(ii) They are used to increase the yield of the crops.
(iii) The Nitrogen-rich fertilizers are needed for the making large green lawns