Methods for using concentrated nitrogen-containing fertilizers
AssigneeUnion Oil Company of California
InventorDonald C. Young
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Urea increases the solute content of a fertilizer comprising water and at least two different nitrate-containing compounds selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate, alkali metal nitrates, and alkaline earth metal nitrates. In addition, urea enhances plant uptake of alkaline earth metals. Particularly favored are quaternary aqueous solutions containing urea, calcium nitrate, and ammonium nitrate.
Claims15
A method comprising the step of fertilizing a plant by applying an aqueous solution to the soil and/or to at least one plant and/or by introducing the aqueous solution into irrigation water, where the aqueous solution comprises:
- (a) about 1 to about 25 weight percent urea,
- (b) about 20 to about 35 weight percent ammonium nitrate,
- (c) about 25 to about 40 weight percent calcium nitrate, and
- (d) about 22 to about 33 weight percent water;
- and has:
- (A) a mole ratio of ammonium nitrate to calcium nitrate of 1.5 to about 3,
- (B) a mole ratio of urea to calcium nitrate of about 0.1 to about 5,
- (C) a total dissolved nitrogen content from ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, and urea of at least 18 weight percent, and
- (D) a crystallization temperature of about -1.1.degree. C. (30.degree. F.) or less.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.