The key difference between MAP and DAP fertilizer is that MAP fertilizer contains about 10% nitrogen, whereas DAP fertilizer contains about 18% nitrogen.

MAP and DAP fertilizer are types of ammonium fertilizers. These fertilizers are widely used for agricultural purposes as sources of nitrogen and phosphorus. Phosphorous is present in the form of P2O5, while nitrogen occurs in the form of ammonium.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is MAP Fertilizer
3. What is DAP Fertilizer
4. Side by Side Comparison – MAP vs DAP Fertilizer in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is MAP Fertilizer?

MAP fertilizer is monoammonium phosphate fertilizer. It is an important substance in agricultural purposes as a source of nitrogen and phosphorous. The chemical formula of this compound is NH4H2PO4. It contains phosphorus in the form of P2O5. The percentage of P2O2 in MAP fertilizer is about 50% (typically ranges from 48 to 61%). The amount of nitrogen present in MAP fertilizer is about 10%. This fertilizer contains the highest amount of phosphorous compared to other available fertilizers.

The production of MAP fertilizer is relatively simple when compared to other fertilizer production processes. In this production process, ammonia and phosphoric acid are reacted with each other in 1:1 ratio. This reaction results in a slurry of MAP fertilizer. As the next step, this MAP slurry is solidified in a granulator. In another method, MAP fertilizer is produced using two starting materials that are made to react with each other in a pipe-cross reactor. This reaction generates heat that allows vaporizing the water present in the reaction mixture, and at the same time, the produced MAP is solidified. There are some other uncommon methods, as well.

MAP fertilizer is a type of granular fertilizer. It is a water-soluble substance, and it can rapidly dissolve in moist soil. When dissolving in soil water, the two components in the fertilizer separate from each other, releasing ammonium ions and phosphate ions. Both these ions are important in soil health. The pH of the soil solution becomes 4-4.5 pH. Therefore, MAP fertilizer granules are acidic, and it makes this fertilizer very useful for alkaline and neutral pH soil types.

What is DAP Fertilizer?

DAP fertilizer is diammonium phosphate fertilizer. This is the world’s most widely used fertilizer type. Compared to other fertilizer types, DAP has relatively a high nutrient content. The chemical formula of DAP fertilizer is (NH4)2HPO4. This fertilizer contains about 18% nitrogen and 46% P2O5.

When considering the production of DAP fertilizer, it is formulated under the controlled reaction of ammonia and phosphoric acid. It forms a hot slurry which is then cooled for granulation and sieving. DAP fertilizer is highly water-soluble and forms a solution with about 7.5-8 pH solution upon dissolution.

What is the Difference Between MAP and DAP Fertilizer?

MAP and DAP fertilizer are types of ammonium fertilizers. These fertilizers are widely used for agricultural purposes as sources of nitrogen and phosphorus. The key difference between MAP and DAP fertilizer is that MAP fertilizer contains about 10% nitrogen, whereas DAP fertilizer contains about 18% nitrogen. Moreover, MAP fertilizer contains about 50% phosphorus, whereas DAP fertilizer contains about 46% phosphorus.

The following table summarizes the difference between MAP and DAP fertilizer.

Summary – MAP vs DAP Fertilizer

MAP and DAP fertilizer are types of ammonium fertilizers. These fertilizers are widely used for agricultural purposes as sources of nitrogen and phosphorus. The key difference between MAP and DAP fertilizer is that MAP fertilizer contains about 10% nitrogen, whereas DAP fertilizer contains about 18% nitrogen.

Reference:

1. “Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP).” Mosaic Crop Nutrition, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Forest fertilizer” By SeppVei – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Person holding brown soil, hand, farm, garden, fertilizer, compost” (CC0) via Wallpaper Flare

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