Precautions While Using Ammonium Nitrate:

• This is a potent and dangerous substance used in explosives. Cover yourself well and stay away from ignition sources during use as it may cause an explosion if incorrectly handled.
• When applying ammonium nitrate to plants, always apply in a circular pattern away from any exposed roots.
• Always use gloves to avoid chemical burns.
• Store any unused ammonium nitrate in a cool, dry place.

Agriculture Use:

Ammonium nitrate is a popular fertilizer since it provides half of the N in the nitrate form and half in the ammonium form. The nitrate form moves readily with soil water to the roots, where its immediately available for plant uptake. The ammonium fraction is taken up by roots or gradually converted to nitrate by soil microorganisms. Many vegetable growers prefer an immediately available nitrate source of plant nutrition and use ammonium nitrate. Animal farmers like it for pasture and hay fertilization since its less susceptible to volatilization losses than urea-based fertilizers when left on the soil surface.

Ammonium nitrate is commonly mixed with other fertilizers, but these mixtures can't be stored for long periods because of a tendency to absorb moisture from the air. The very high solubility of ammonium nitrate makes it well suited for making solutions for festination or foliar sprays.