Instructions for the use of potassium chloride in the garden
 Potassium chloride

Potassium chloride is a fertilizer composition containing a lot of potassium. It is used in agricultural technology in order to replenish nutritional components and stabilize the development of crops. Used together with other fertilizing compounds, combining with nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers, or separately. Today such fertilizer is considered the most demanded among gardeners.

What is potassium chloride

This is a concentrated potassium supplement.Based on the method of production and classification according to the requirements of the standards, the fertilizer may contain from fifty-two to ninety-nine percent of potassium.

Looks in the form of granules or crystals of pinkish, white, gray and even brown shades. Formed in the reaction of potassium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid in the laboratory. In the production of the main raw material is salt, which contains potassium.

Under the conditions of nature, the substance is contained in sylvinite, and may occur in the form of sylvite and carnilit.

Potassium is considered to be the most important component in the nutrition of crops.. It differs from nitrogen and phosphorus in that it is included in the organic composition of the plant. For this reason, fertilizers have to be added to the beds additionally.

 Potassium chloride
Potassium chloride closeup in hands

How good is potassium chloride as a fertilizer?

Many plants can survive micronutrient deficiencies, reducing productivity or stopping fruiting., but an insufficient amount of one of the main components causes the death of the culture. This means that in the garden plots, the feeding of the main nutrients should be carried out continuously.

The peculiarity of potassium chloride is that it is contained in minimal quantities almost everywhere and is able to be replenished from natural sources. To be honest, gardeners discovered this fertilizer relatively recently. But it turned out that it represents an excellent support in the garden and has a diverse effect on plants.

is he accelerates the growth and development of root systems, increasing their resistance to frost and drought, activates the formation of shoots, increasing yields, improves the quality of fruits.

Properties and benefits from the application

It is believed that potassium chloride is not necessary to use on fertile soil. But this is not the case - in such areas it is allowed to minimize or not to use nitrogen and phosphorus at all, but the potash fertilizer will definitely be needed. With it you can:

  • improve the immune system of plants, prevent many diseases;
  • increase the frost resistance of perennials;
  • help plants to tolerate temperature drops;
  • reduce likely dehydration;
  • have a positive effect on crop formation, especially for tuber crops;
  • increase the appearance of the product and its taste;
  • extend the safety of the crop.
 Potassium chloride close up in granules
Potassium chloride close up in granules

Potassium chloride can often create overfeeding plants. In perennial crops, this is expressed in the disease of the root system, the kidneys freezing during the winter period. Annual plants immediately lie down and begin to rot near the root collar.

Long-term use of fertilizer will adversely affect the condition of the soil - it becomes acidic. In addition, due to potassium chlorine in the ground accumulates a large amount of salt.

Fertilizer application in the garden

Potassium chloride in the winter is not made, is used only in the summer. It is used for:

  • urgent foliar feeding;
  • heavy soil composition in spring digging of beds;
  • preparing perennial crops for the winter season;
  • seasonal feeding plants, well assimilating this fertilizer composition;
  • planting crops that excessively consume potassium chloride.
In the fall, before the winter season, potassium chloride can be filled into the soil on clayey and loamy places where a lot of snow falls.
 Kali chloride bags
Potassium chloride bags for use in agriculture

This fertilizer is recommended to be used on sandy, podzolic, sandy and peaty lands, where good yields can be achieved only by adding nutrients.

Compatibility with other fertilizers

Simultaneous use with lime, chalk or dolomite flour is forbidden. It is allowed to combine fertilizer with ammonium sulfate, manure, ammophos, chicken droppings, diammophos.

Immediately before use, the substance is mixed with urea, ammonium, calcium, sodium nitrate, superphosphates.

Storage and Precautions

As follows from the instructions, potassium chloride is a moderately hazardous substance. It has no negative effect on the integrity of the skin, but it prevents the healing of wounds, irritates and can contribute to inflammatory processes.

Therefore, it is recommended to use protective clothing when working with such a fertilizer covering up open wounds and damage. Combined with air, the substance does not create toxic compounds dangerous to the body. It is not considered flammable and explosive, does not form corrosive processes.

High hygroscopic properties of the composition are prescribed to store it indoors with a low level of humidity. No precipitation or flooding by groundwater is allowed. On the street, the fertilizer is stored in tightly closed containers or in plastic bags. The site should be under a canopy.

 Potassium chloride earth fertilizer
Potassium chloride earth fertilizer
According to the requirements of state standards, the duration of storage of the drug should not exceed six months. After this time, the fertilizer loses the external data, forms lumps, but it retains the chemical indicators completely.

Experienced gardeners note that the use of potassium chloride is possible even in emergency situations. Signs of its lack in this case are wrapped foliage, brown specks between the veins, drying out.

Proper and timely fertilization will help support the development of crops and the formation of good yields.