It has long been known that the application of potash fertilizers is a necessary condition for high and sustainable crop yields. Today JSC Belaruskali produces 1/5 of the world volume of potash fertilizers. Our product is in demand not only in the domestic market; it is exported to 128 countries of the world. What functions does potash perform and why do farmers all over the world value it?
We would like to presents some interesting and useful information about it.
 Potassium is a chemical element that plays an important role in plant life along with nitrogen and phosphorous. It is quite widespread in the nature. It is found only in the form of chemical compounds. It is the key ingredient in the raw potassium salts and the concentrated potassium fertilizers. It is used as a soil fertilizer and as a plant nutrient. |
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Potassium is the original source for the plants nutrition. A granular muriate of potash and a fine muriate of potash are manufactured to be applied in agriculturre. Potassium in granules has a longer lasting effect, it dissolves slower and is washed away by the precipitation. Potassium is also used to produce the NPK fertilizers (nitrogen + phosphorous + potassium + additives of macro- and microelements in one granule). |
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Sugar and fodder beet, potatoes, vegetables and sunflowers are considered "potassium-loving" crops. They consume much more of this element than cereals and leguminous crops, flax and perennial grasses. Potassium fertilizers improve not only the palatability of root crops such as carrots, cabbage heads, tomato, cucumber, watermelon, etc., but also determine the shape and colour of the crops. |
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Potassium is one of the most widespread elements in the soil. Its content in soils is significantly higher than that of nitrogen and phosphorus, and depends mainly on the texture of the soil. Potassium content is the highest in clayey, loamy soils, and is significantly lower in sandy and sabulous soils. Potassium content is the poorest on peatlands. Potassium is constantly leached from the soil, so its reserves must be replenished. |
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Potassium deficiency results in premature yellowing of leaves, brown spotting, marginal scalds, thinning of stems and shoots, no flowering or smaller buds. The entire plant is stunted. The crop becomes susceptible to the occurrence and development of fungal diseases. |
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 tassium deficiency results in premature yellowing of the leaves, the brown spotting appears, «marginal burns», the stalk and shoots get thinner, the flowering is absent or the buds become smaller. The entire plant growth is set back. The crop becomes susceptible to the occurrence and development of the fungal diseases. |
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Potassium fertilizers, especially potassium chloride, reduce the nitrate content in the vegetable produce. Potassium fertilization in July-August reduces the NO3 concentrations by 30-50%. |
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JSC Belaruskali has recently mastered the production of new product – a compound fertilizer for the vegetable crops - grade 13-12-19-7(S)-0,20(B), where the macroelement boron is used as an additive, this fertilizer is intended to be the applied for the sugar beet and table beet. Its application increases the germination and the germinating energy of seeds, bulbs tubers, it adapts the plants during transplanting, accelerates their growth and development. The main buyers of this product are JSC Slutsk sugar refinery and JSC Gorodeya sugar refinery. Potassium fertilizers increase the shelf life of the vegetable products during the winter period. Potassium promotes the formation of a firmer epidermis in vegetables and root crops, preventing pathogenic microorganisms from penetrating them. |
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 New type of products—granular muriate of potash with adding sulphur and zinc -- is a fertilizer, a pilot batch thereof was manufactured by JSC Belaruskali on the request of the Chinese consumers in spring this year. Potassium is needed in large quantities to grow rice, and without substances such as zinc, sulphur, copper, molybdenum, etc., the rice cannot grow to the utmost. Their application into the soil before sowing or the seeds treating increases the crop's productivity and makes it more resistant to the adverse environmental factors.
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