Aids in photosynthesis Favors translocation of photosynthates Stomatal regulation of water loss Enhances N uptake & protein synthesis Functions in the plant Groundnut plot with potash Groundnut plot without potash Junagadh, Gujarat State (India), Sep 2000 POTASSIUM Promotes root growth & stronger stems Increases resistance to cold & water stresses Reduces pest & disease attack Enhances crop quality (size, color, protein, oil, vitamins, etc.) Extends shelf life +K +K - - K K - -K K K75 K75 K150 K150 Positive effects of K fertilization POTASSIUM +K +K - - K K Positive effects of K fertilization No K with K grains Bananas in storage for 19 days -K +K POTASSIUM spikes Which crops are the biggest users of potash? In USA, corn is the major consumer of potash. Over 40% of the potash used is applied to corn. In China, where farmers grow 2 or 3 crops a year, rice is the largest consumer. An estimated 25% of the potash is applied to rice. In Brazil, roughly 70% of the potash is used on soybean, sugar cane and corn. In Malaysia, oil palm is the single largest consumer of potash. As much as 75% of the potash is used on oil palm. POTASSIUM
K K K K K K K K K + - - - - K + K + K + Soil clay minerals (illite, vermicullite, etc.) I n t e r l a t t i c e ( K
f i x e d ,
t r a p p e d ) Exchange positions (K adsorbed) K K K Soil primary minerals (micas, feldspars) Structural K K K K K In Soil Solution Plant uptake Leaching Soil solution Exchangeable Non- Exchangeable Mineral Fertilizer K K K + K K READILY AVAILABLE 1 - 4 % UNAVAILABLE 92% SLOWLY AVAILABLE 2 - 6% weathering desorption adsorption POTASSIUM IN SOILS dissolves K + Cl - leaching K + K + K + K + Crop uptake Leaching (sandy soils) Soil solution Absorbed
K + - - - - K + K + K + Soil clays KCl POTASSIUM APPLICATION K products are water soluble K nutrient content in fertilizer is expressed on a K 2 2 O O basis basis (in %). Although there is no K as such in the fertilizer K fertilizers should be convert to K cation (K + ) in order to be absorbed by the plant roots. K fertilizers have no negative environmental effect Characteristics POTASSIUM FERTILIZERS MOP (muriate of potash) or potassium chloride is: KCl K 2 O content is 60-62% MOP is completely soluble Characteristics MOP is mined from underground ores (IberPotash), or is the result of crystallization from brine, either from solution mining of KCl ore or precipitation fromhypersaline lakes (Dead Sea) MOP can be red, pink or white, naturally minor amounts of iron impurities give a reddish color. The color does not affect chemical composition and all have the same agronomic effectiveness MOP is produced in different grades: standard, fine, granular, fertigation Manufacture POTASSIUM CHLORIDE - MOP MOP is the most common K fertilizer MOP is the K fertilizer with highest K2O content MOP is the cheapest K fertilizer per kg fertlizer & per K2O unit Can be mixed with other fertilizers, and is a common ingrendient in NPK bulk blends Can be used in fertigation (only white potash, Ferti-K grade) It contains chloride, an important micronutrient Not recommended for chloride-sensitive crops (such as tobacco, avocado, and some grenhouse vegetables and flowers) Not recommended under saline soils and/or saline waters Limitations Advantages POTASSIUM CHLORIDE - MOP WHEN IT COMES TO POTASH, CROPS ARE COLOR-BLIND AS LONG AS THE POTASH CONTAINS THE CORRECT CHEMICAL AND NUTRIENT CONTENT, CROPS DO NOT DISTINGUISH BETWEEN WHITE POTASH AND RED POTASH Both red and white potash are chemically the same salt: potassium chloride (KCl) Both have equal amounts of potassium (60 %) and chloride (47%) Both are highly water soluble, being of equivalent agronomic effectiveness THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN THE AGRONOMIC VALUE OF RED AND WHITE POTASH POTASH FOR FERTIGATION (MICROIRRIGATION)
White White potash gives a clear,
clean and pure solution
Red Red potash solution contains iron
impurities which can clog the drippers POTASH IS AN IDEAL K SOURCE : High K content in the irrigation solution Compatible with N and P fertilizers Fully soluble in irrigation water Fast dissolution IS ONE AGRONOMICALLY BETTER THAN THE OTHER? NO CLOGGING OF DRIPPERS NO CLOGGING OF DRIPPERS Only WHITE KCl is suitable for Fertigation 46 Kg Cl 9 6
K g K C l 50 Kg K = 60 Kg K 2 O 4 Kg others (*) (*) mainly MgCl 2 , CaCl 2 and NaCl COMPOSITION OF POTASH (MOP) the K fertilizer which has the highest K content the cheapest K fertilizer TO APPLY 150 KG K 2 O YOU NEED: K 2 SO 4 300 kg 50% KNO 3 326 kg 46% KCl KCl 250 kg 250 kg 60 % 60 % % K 2 O THE POTENTIAL OF POTASH : A 10 HECTARE RICE FARM APPLYING POTASSIUMAT A RATE OF 120 KG K 2 O/HA WILL APPLY 200 KG POTASH / HA WILL NEED 2 TON POTASH PER YEAR ! MOP COSTS LESS PER: Kg fertilizer K 2 O unit POTASH (MOP) For direct application and bulk blending POTASH STANDARD GRADE RED RED WHITE WHITE For NPK granulation, liquid solutions and SOP production (from MOP) POTASH FINE GRADE For bulk blending and direct application RED RED WHITE WHITE POTASH GRANULAR GRADE For application through irrigation systems (fertigation) Approved for organic agriculture FERTI-K