Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is a popular nitrogen fertilizer because it is

Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is a popular nitrogen fertilizer primarily because it provides a sustained supply of nitrogen to plants. It typically contains 26-27% nitrogen, split equally between nitrate-nitrogen and ammonium-nitrogen. The nitrate form is highly mobile and quickly absorbed by roots for immediate growth, while the ammonium form is absorbed more slowly or must be converted to nitrate by soil bacteria, ensuring a longer-lasting nutrient supply. Unlike pure ammonium nitrate or urea, CAN is physiologically neutral because it contains calcium carbonate (limestone) or dolomite, which prevents it from making the soil acidic. While its nitrogen percentage is lower than urea (46%), its efficiency and non-acidifying nature make it a preferred top-dressing fertilizer for most crops. Therefore, its ability to act as a slow/sustained supplier through its dual-nitrogen forms is its defining popular characteristic.