What compound, essential for fertilizer manufacturing, is made using the Haber process?

The Haber process is a well-known industrial method for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases. In this process, nitrogen from the air is reacted with hydrogen, typically obtained from natural gas, under high pressure and temperature in the presence of a catalyst. Ammonia is a key compound in the production of fertilizers because it provides essential nitrogen needed for plant growth.

In the context of fertilizer manufacturing, ammonia is further processed to produce various nitrogenous fertilizers, such as urea and ammonium nitrate. While nitrogen and other fertilizers like potassium nitrate are also important in agricultural applications, they are not the direct products of the Haber process itself. Thus, the identification of ammonia as the compound produced through this specific synthesis reinforces its central role in the production of fertilizers in agricultural chemistry.