Diammonium Phosphate fertilizer (DAP)

Diammonium Phosphate Fertilizer (DAP) is a type of fertilizer with a high concentration of phosphorus. The Diammonium Phosphate fertilizer has 18% concentration of nitrogen and 46% concentration of phosphorus. DAP fertilizer also has 1.5% sulphur concentration.

Diammonium Phosphate fertilizer is one of the most popular phosphate based fertilizer in Nigeria. It is usually used for basal application. It is a good fertilizer to use to increase the nitrogen and phosphorus concentration of your soil before planting your crops.

Diammonium Phosphate fertilizer can also be used during the flowering stage of plants, though; it is usually used at the early stage of planting.

DAP fertilizer is highly soluble; this makes it a good candidate for fertigation. DAP fertilizer comes in granules, when placed beside a plant; it releases nitrogen in ammonium form and also releases phosphorus to the plant.

It takes a bit of time for the phosphorus to be fully taken up and used by the plant. The ammonium form of the nitrogen in Dap fertilizer will be broken down to nitrate by bacteria. The plant uses the nitrate from of nitrogen directly.

Chemical Properties of Diammonium Phosphate fertilizer (DAP)

The following are the chemical properties of Diammonium Phosphate fertilizer:

• Nitrogen content: 18%
• Phosphorus content: 46%
• Sulfur content: 1.5%
• pH: 7.5 – 8

Crops Diammonium Phosphate Fertilizer can be used for

Diammonium Phosphate fertilizer can be used for the following crops:

DAP fertilizer can be used for vegetable crops like pepper, watermelon, cucumber, onions, carrot, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and egg plants etc. It is usually used at the early stage of planting to supply phosphorus and nitrogen to the plant.

DAP fertilizer can also be used for fruit and tree crops like cocoa, cashew, oil palm, mango, orange and avocado etc. The fertilizer ensures that the tree crop have a good rooting system for optimum extraction of nutrients and water from the soil.

Diammonium Phosphate fertilizer can also be used for crops like maize, soybeans, millet, cowpea and sesame.

DAP fertilizer is very useful in leguminous crops like cowpea, soybeans and alfafa etc. as it enhances nitrogen fixation in the soil.

Benefits of using Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer

The following are the benefits of using Diammonium Phosphate fertilizer:

• DAP fertilizer ensures that plants have a well-established rooting system. Healthy roots take up more nutrients and water from the soil, this can significantly increase crop yield.
• The phosphorus in DAP fertilizer boost flowering and fruiting.
• The nitrogen in DAP fertilizer enhances the production of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis to take place.
• DAP fertilizer promotes cell division in plants.
• DAP fertilizer enhances the healthy growth of the plant cells and tissues.
• DAP fertilizer also enhances the ability of plants to resist pests and diseases.
• DAP fertilizer optimizes nitrogen fixation in leguminous crops

How to Use DAP Fertilizer

Diammonium Phosphate fertilizer can be applied through the following methods:

• Basal Application
• Top Dressing
• Side Dressing
• Fertigation

Advantages of Using DAP fertilizer

• It supplies key nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur to crops
• It is easy to store for a long time.
• It enhances the yield of crops.
• It boosts the healthy growth of crops.