Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is a fertilizer that has several uses, including:
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Crop plants
CAN is used as a top dressing fertilizer for crop plants, especially cereals like barley and wheat. It can be applied before hoeing or irrigation.
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Soil pH
CAN is near-neutral in its effect on soil pH, so it can be used on low pH soils without lowering it further. This makes it suitable for perennial fruit crops.
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Nitrogen supply
CAN contains equal parts of fast-acting nitrate-nitrogen and longer-lasting ammonium-nitrogen, which provides a more continuous nitrogen supply to crops.
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Acid soils
CAN is preferred for use on acid soils because it acidifies soil less than many common nitrogen fertilizers.
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Ammonium nitrate ban
CAN is used in place of ammonium nitrate where ammonium nitrate is banned.
