Fertilizer Potassium: what happens and what plants need, what it contains

Fertilizers with potassium are considered important means that are responsible for the normal development of cultivated plants. The content of this element in the soil directly affects the yield parameters. Thanks to the use of a sufficient amount of top dressing, it is possible to activate the process of photosynthesis, strengthen immunity, accelerate the ripening process and the taste of fruits.

Signs of deficiency and excess of potassium in plants

Potassium is of great importance for the development of horticultural crops. This element is found in many top dressings. If plants are deficient in a substance, ammonia accumulates in their cells.This provokes susceptibility to fungal infections and causes the death of shoots. This is due to the cessation of the synthesis of protein elements and complex carbohydrates in cells.

At the same time, an excess of potassium also negatively affects the growth and development of crops. Therefore, it is important to be careful when using fertilizers based on this substance. It is strictly forbidden to exceed the dosage.

Types of potash fertilizers

All potassium supplements are divided into 2 categories:

1. Chlorides - mixes easily with water. It is permissible to bring them into the ground only in the fall. This will allow the chlorine to evaporate from the soil over the winter.
2. Sulfate - also easily mixed with water. Moreover, such funds are allowed to be used not only in autumn, but also in spring or summer. However, it is recommended to use small dosages.

Potassium chloride

Feed includes 45-65% potassium. It also contains 40% chlorine, which increases the acidity of the soil. Chlorine delays the development of crops and provokes a deterioration in the quality of the crop. Therefore, potassium chloride is required to be applied exclusively in the autumn. By the time the vegetation of plants begins, the dangerous component has time to erode from the soil structure. Potassium chloride is white. At the same time, the fertilizer is characterized by a grayish or pink color.

Potassium sulphate (potassium sulfate)

This fertilizer contains 50% potassium and approximately 20% sulfur. The second component benefits members of the legume and cruciferous families. At the same time, there is no chlorine in the top dressing.

This potassium preparation can be used to improve the development of cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries. It is also used to feed vineyards and ornamental plants. The composition is excellent for crops susceptible to chlorine.

Potassium sulfate is recommended to be used in the spring as the main top dressing. It is acceptable to use it when growing crops in open ground and in greenhouse conditions.

Kalimagnesia (potassium and magnesium sulfate)

This formulation contains 30% potassium and 9-17% magnesium. This potash composition is suitable for application to soil with a low magnesium content. The fertilizer is characterized by a pink-gray color and a very fine particle fraction.

Kalimagnesia does not absorb moisture, so it can be easily stored and transported. The composition is easily absorbed by the root system. It is usually used as the main top dressing in the spring.

Kalimag

This remedy is similar in composition to potassium magnesia. However, it additionally contains calcium sulfate and sodium chloride. In this case, the product includes 15-20% potassium, 10% magnesium and 17% sulfur.

Potassium (potassium) s alt

This preparation is a mixture of potassium chloride and sylvinite. The volume of potassium in the substance is 40%. However, the fertilizer includes a lot of chlorine, which can cause great harm to tomatoes, potatoes and berry crops. Potassium s alt is considered the most effective for beets. The composition is applied to the soil only in the fall, during the preparation of the site for winter.

Cement dust

This product is considered a waste that is obtained during the production of cement. It contains sulfates, carbonates, bicarbonates. The product contains a small amount of potassium silicates.

Cement dust contains 10-35% potassium. At the same time, it does not contain chlorine. This dressing has an alkalizing effect. It is most often used for crops that do not take chlorine well.

Fertilizer has a fine structure and can provoke irritation of human mucous membranes. Therefore, now it is rarely used in agriculture.

How do they get it?

The technology for the manufacture of potash fertilizers depends on the composition and purpose of the preparations:

1. Potassium chloride is produced by the flotation method. For this, mineral formations are used. At the same time, sylvinite is crushed, after which it is treated with a mother liquor. During the production process, the liquor is separated from the sludge. As a result, it is possible to obtain potassium chloride in crystalline form.
2. Potassium sulphate is obtained by mixing shenit and langbenite.
3. To get potassium magnesia, you need to process chenite. The substance enters the market in the form of granules or powder of a gray-brown hue.
4. Potassium s alt is a mixture of potassium chloride with sylvinite. Sometimes the second component is changed to Cainite.

Terms and application rates

In order for potassium preparations to give the desired result, it is important to strictly follow the dosage. There are several options for applying drugs:

1. Basic - it is required to feed the beds in the fall. This is done before digging the soil.
2. Presowing - the composition must be applied to the wells before planting. At the same time, it is combined with sulfates or other useful s alts.
3. Additional - potash agents are applied before the flowering of ornamental plants or the ripening of fruit crops. This is done when a nutrient deficiency is detected.

Potassium products containing chlorine are applied only in autumn, as they have an acidifying effect. By spring, the chlorine evaporates and does not harm the plants.

Application rates are chosen taking into account the variety of mineral components, soil composition and crop needs. For 1 square meter it is worth using the following number of preparations:

• 20-40 grams of potassium chloride;
• 20 grams of potassium nitrate;
• 10-15 grams of potassium sulfate.

How to apply?

For the use of potash to have an effect, you need to take into account the variety of crops grown:

1. Cucumbers. To obtain 100 kilograms of fruit, 440 grams of potassium are required. In this case, it is recommended to use double s alt, which contains a minimum of chlorine.
2. Potatoes. This culture perfectly assimilates kalimag. It is worth adding 1 small spoonful of funds to each hole.
3. Tomatoes. To obtain 100 kilograms of tomatoes, 500 grams of potash is required. Since this crop needs phosphorus, it is better to use complex substances. The use of potassium magnesia increases the yield by 40%.
4. Strawberry. This culture does not tolerate the effects of chlorine. Therefore, fertilizers containing this component must be applied in the fall with lime. Potassium makes fruits sweeter and increases their shelf life.

Safety precautions for use

When using potash fertilizers, you should wear personal protective equipment - a respirator, goggles, gloves. This helps to avoid contact with hazardous components on the skin and mucous membranes. Wash your hands with soap and water after fertilizing.

Potassium is of great importance for the normal development of cultivated plants. Today, there are many fertilizers with this component, which allows you to choose the best option based on your needs.

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