MAP 12-61

General Properties and Industrial Significance:

MAP 12-61 stands for Monoammonium Phosphate (NH₄H₂PO₄) with the chemical formula 12-61-0, which refers to its nutrient content: 12% Nitrogen (N) and 61% Phosphorus (P₂O₅). Monoammonium phosphate is a highly soluble phosphatic fertilizer that is commonly used to provide nitrogen and phosphorus to plants.

Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) is a chemical compound made by reacting ammonia (NH₃) with phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄).

MAP 12-61 specifically contains:

• 12% Nitrogen (N): The nitrogen helps in promoting leaf growth and overall plant development.

• 61% Phosphorus (P₂O₅): The phosphorus aids in root development, flowering, and fruiting, making it essential for healthy plant growth.

MAP is widely used in the agricultural sector because it is a water-soluble fertilizer that provides essential nutrients in a readily available form for plant absorption.

Applications:

• Agriculture (Fertilizer):

1. Primary Use: MAP 12-61 is mainly used as a fertilizer to supply plants with nitrogen and phosphorus, which are critical macronutrients for plant growth. These nutrients are vital for several key growth processes:

   • Nitrogen (12%) is essential for:

     • Promoting leaf and stem growth

     • Enhancing photosynthesis

     • Supporting overall plant metabolism

   • Phosphorus (61%) is important for:

     • Root development, ensuring strong and healthy root systems.

     • Flowering and fruiting, as phosphorus plays a key role in energy transfer and storage in plants.

     • Cell division and the development of new tissues.

2. Soil Application: MAP is commonly applied to soil as a starter fertilizer to promote early growth, especially in high-demand crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat.

3. Highly Soluble: The high solubility of MAP means that it is easily absorbed by plants, making it an effective fertilizer for both dry and liquid applications.

• Hydroponics:

1. Hydroponic Systems: MAP 12-61 is also used in hydroponic farming, where nutrients are delivered directly to plants' roots via water solutions. Due to its high solubility, MAP can be easily incorporated into nutrient solutions for soilless cultivation.

• Starter Fertilizer:

• MAP is commonly used as a starter fertilizer in the planting process, as it provides an initial boost of phosphorus to encourage early root development, which is critical in the early stages of plant growth.

• Improving Early Plant Growth:

1. The phosphorus in MAP is especially useful during the germination and early growth stages of plants, ensuring they develop a strong root system that will support future growth and nutrient uptake.

Key Benefits:

• High Phosphorus Content:

The 61% phosphorus content in MAP makes it one of the best sources of phosphoric acid for promoting root development and flowering.

• Water Solubility:

MAP is highly soluble in water, which makes it an efficient fertilizer that can be quickly absorbed by plants, especially in irrigation systems.

• Balanced Nutrients:

It provides both nitrogen and phosphorus, which are key macronutrients needed by plants throughout their growing cycle.

• Versatile Application:

MAP can be applied as a dry fertilizer directly to the soil or as part of a liquid solution in hydroponic or fertigation systems.

Summary:

MAP 12-61 (Monoammonium Phosphate) is a highly soluble fertilizer that provides essential nitrogen (12%) and phosphorus (61%) to plants. It is primarily used in agriculture to support root development, leaf growth, and flowering, making it suitable for use on a wide variety of crops. It is often applied as a starter fertilizer to give plants an early boost or used in hydroponic systems for nutrient delivery.