Sulfopotash

Potassium is essential to plant growth, although its function is not clearly understood. It is found in large amounts in the leaves and at the growing points. Farm products other than hay or vegetables remove very little potassium.

Potassium stimulates the growth of strong stems and gives the plant some disease resistance by promoting thickness of the outer cell walls. Potassium improves color, flavor and storing quality of fruit and vegetables.

Potassium is present in all soils in reasonable quantities. In fact potassium is the seventh most abundant element in the earth’s crust. At least 88% of the soil potassium is in the form of silicates, and so unavailable. The available forms leach readily, particularly in the higher rainfall areas and lighter soils.

The practice of using “K” as the chemical symbol for potassium is from the German word for potassium - Kalium.

Potassium Sulphate (SOP) K₂SO₄

Typical Analysis:

51.0% K

51.5% S

Physical Properties:

• Sizing 90% in the 2 - 4 mm range.

• Bulk density 1.35 - 1.40 t/m3

Uses:

Potassium sulphate is an expensive source of potassium so its uses are restricted to three main areas.

• where soil or irrigation water salt levels are high and KCl is undesirable.

• where chloride sensitive crops are being grown, e.g. tobacco, berries.

where quality may be affected by chloride, e.g. potatoes.