Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) is a fertilizer that is commonly used in India and around the world. It is a preferred fertilizer in India because it contains both nitrogen and phosphorus, which are primary macro-nutrients and part of 18 essential plant nutrients. DAP is manufactured by reacting ammonia with phosphoric acid under controlled conditions in fertilizer plants. It is a highly soluble fertilizer that dissolves quickly in soil to release plant-available phosphate and ammonium.
Some key features of DAP fertilizer include:
-
Nutrient content: The standard nutrient grade of DAP is relatively high, at 18-46-0, meaning it contains 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphorus (P2O5) .
-
Physical properties: DAP is free-flowing, dust-free, and does not normally give any storage problems.
-
Effect on soil: DAP is almost water-soluble and ultimately leaves an acidic effect on soils because of the ammonia (NH4) it contains. When applied as plant food, it temporarily increases the soil pH, but over the long term, the treated ground becomes more acidic than before, upon nitrification of the ammonium.
DAP is the most economical phosphorus fertilizer and is the worlds most commonly traded and used phosphorus fertilizer. It is used in a variety of industries, including sugarcane, vegetable, horticultural, and pasture industries.
