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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Franklin Neave | Posted under Landscaping Gardening
Facts On Potash
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Potash was a term the American settlers used because they produced potassium by evaporating water that was filtered through wood ashes. The ash residue would stay in the large iron pots where it was called �pot ash� and used to make soap. The actual process for making potash is a registered trademark. Most of the nutrient K used in plant food is potassium chloride also called muriate of potash or just plain potash. KCI was mostly deposited by ancient inland oceans that have disappeared over the centuries. These deposits are filled with natural K as well as sodium chloride or table salt. Today's potash is found deep underground and so it is mined and some of those mines run over 3000 feet deep. That's pretty incredible! The KCI is then processed in plants that are above ground and the natural K fertilizer is produced as potassium sulphate and potassium magnesium sulphate. Over 90% of KCI is used for agriculture purposes with the remaining percentage used in homes and industry. 75% of all potash produced in North America actually comes from western Canada with the other 25% coming from New Mexico, Carlsbad, and Moab. Potash used in fertilizer supplies the K requirements of agriculture crops and it is important for many reasons but here are just a few. 1. It increases the growth of the roots2. It improves drought resistance3. It slows the growth of crop diseases4. It maintains cell turgor5. It reduces wilting6. It reduces water loss7. It increases protein to the plants8. It assists photosynthesis9. It regulates the production of higher energy plants10. It activates more than 50 enzymes11. It produces grains that are very rich in starches12. It builds cellulose13. It reduces the development of weak stalks Potassium is available in the following sources. 1. Potassium chloride [muriate of potash] is a crystalline that is water soluble and contains approx. 50% K and 45% chlorine. It is either red or white in color depending on the trace amounts of iron. Research has shown that the chloride of KCI is valuable to crops reducing disease in smaller grains.2. Potassium sulphate is a white crystalline salt that contains approx. 42% K and 18% sulphur and 2% chlorine. It is used primarily on crops that require a very low chloride content such as tobacco.3. Potassium magnesium sulphate contains 18% K, 22% S, and 11% magnesium. It is used where K, MG, and S are needed.4. Potassium nitrate contains 37% K and 13% nitrogen and originally came from Chile but not is actually chemically produced.5. Potassium hydroxide contains 62% K and is extremely caustic but it is very useful for specialty fertilizers where a high concentrate is required. Whether you call it potassium or potash these facts on potash will help you better understand the importance and value of this fertilizer ingredient. About The Author: Franklin Neave work in fertilizer producing industry for last 10 years. He has recently developed interest in writing and have expressed his experience on his website at http://www.fertilizerworld.com about different types of fertilizer and their benefits. |
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