Fertilizer simple identification method
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There are various types of chemical fertilizers, each with unique physical and chemical properties. When proper testing equipment is unavailable, a few simple methods can help identify them.
First, look at the appearance: if it's white or gray fine crystals and has an ammonia smell, it's likely ammonium bicarbonate.
Next, dissolve a small amount in water. Take a spoonful of the fertilizer, add it to a cup of water, and stir for 1–2 minutes with a clean stick. If it dissolves completely, it could be a nitrogen fertilizer like ammonium-based ones, or potash (excluding potassium from kiln ash). If only partially dissolved, it may be superphosphate or triple superphosphate. If it doesn’t dissolve at all, it might be lime nitrogen, calcium magnesium phosphate, steel slag phosphate, rock phosphate, or kiln ash potassium. To further test, add a bit of lime to the solution (you can gently heat it if it’s cold). If there's an ammonia smell, it could be ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, or ammonium nitrate. If no ammonia is released, it might be potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, or urea.
Third, to distinguish between ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium chloride, try burning them. Ammonium sulfate does not burn but gradually melts and emits an ammonia smell. Ammonium chloride melts and gives off a strong ammonia odor along with a bright white light. Ammonium nitrate burns quickly, produces a red-yellow flame, and emits a loud whistling sound, along with ammonia and white smoke.
Fourth, to differentiate between urea, potassium sulfate, and potassium chloride, place them over a flame. Urea will burn, emit an odor, and quickly melt and evaporate. Potassium sulfate and potassium chloride will also burn, but potassium chloride has a salty taste, which helps distinguish it from potassium sulfate.
Fifth, to tell apart superphosphate and triple superphosphate, check the texture and taste. Superphosphate feels moist and has a sour taste, while triple superphosphate is more refined and less acidic.
Lastly, for lime nitrogen, calcium magnesium phosphate, steel slag phosphate, rock phosphate, and kiln ash potassium: these are all insoluble in water. However, lime nitrogen reacts with water, producing heat and a smell similar to calcium carbide. Calcium magnesium phosphate appears as a gray or dark green glassy powder. Rock phosphate is a brown, gray, or black powder that doesn’t absorb moisture. Steel slag phosphate is a black powder with a high density and low moisture absorption. Kiln ash potassium is a fine, light gray or yellow powder that easily absorbs moisture.
These simple tests can help identify common fertilizers without specialized tools.