Which fertilizer is popularly known in India as ‘Kisan Khad’?

Concept

Commercial or popular names of fertilizers are identified by matching the name with the fertilizer’s chemical formulation. Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is a nitrogenous fertilizer made by combining ammonium nitrate with a calcium-bearing material such as limestone; the calcium component reduces the acidifying tendency of ammonium nitrate.

Application

In India, calcium ammonium nitrate was marketed under the name ‘Kisan Khad’. Thus, the name in the question corresponds to calcium ammonium nitrate.

Contrast

• Ammonium sulphate is a different nitrogen-and-sulphur fertilizer.

• Calcium nitrate is a different calcium-and-nitrogen salt; sharing the word ‘calcium’ does not make it the named product.

• Ammonium sulphate nitrate is another mixed nitrogenous fertilizer, not the product identified by this name.

Cross-check

A Government of India record on the National Fertilizers Limited Nangal unit explicitly identifies ‘Kisan Khad’ as calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), confirming the match.

Therefore, the fertilizer popularly known as ‘Kisan Khad’ is calcium ammonium nitrate.