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The Effect of Ammonium Phosphate and Other Chemicals on the Germination of Cotton and Wheat Seeds
Author(s) -
Hood J. T.,
Ensminger L. E.
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1964.03615995002800020036x
Subject(s) - germination , ammonium , salt (chemistry) , chemistry , phosphate , ammonium phosphate , agronomy , horticulture , nuclear chemistry , biology , fertilizer , organic chemistry
Field and greenhouse studies with cotton and wheat showed that fertilizers containing ammonium phosphates were especially detrimental to germination and could result in very poor stands. In order to study the cause of this harmful effect, seeds were soaked in salt solutions (including ammonium phosphates) and acids for various time intervals. The seed surfaces were then washed free of the solutions and allowed to germinate. The (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 solutions reduced germination more than any other salt solution including NH 4 H 2 PO 4 . In studies with cotton seed, a solution of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 adjusted with NH 4 OH to pH 8.2 did not reduce germination as much as did (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 . Germination was lowered more by H 2 SO 4 than by H 3 PO 4 at the same pH. Soaking the seed in salt solutions such as CaSO 4 before soaking in (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 did not improve germination. When the seeds were soaked in MgSO 4 or MgCl 2 after being soaked in (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 , there was an improvement in germination as compared with (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 alone. Soaking in MgSO 4 and MgCl 2 did not increase the germination of seed that had been soaked in H 3 PO 4 . It appears that the detrimental effect of ammonium phosphate is not due to the ammonium or phosphate ion per se .