Which fertilizer type is commonly used due to its high nitrogen content?

Ammonium nitrate is widely recognized for its high nitrogen content, making it a preferred choice among fertilizers for promoting vigorous plant growth. Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient that supports vegetative growth, stimulates leaf development, and is a vital component of amino acids and proteins in plants. This compound typically contains around 34% nitrogen in the form of both ammonium and nitrate, allowing for quick uptake by plants.

In contrast, superphosphate is primarily a phosphorus source, potassium sulfate provides potassium and sulfur, and calcium carbonate is mainly used to adjust soil pH and supply calcium. Therefore, while these alternatives serve important functions in soil nutrition, they do not offer the same high nitrogen levels that ammonium nitrate provides. This specificity of nitrogen in fertilizers makes ammonium nitrate particularly effective for crops that require significant nitrogen for optimal growth.