Potash is a term used to describe various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form. The name "potash" comes from the Middle Dutch "potaschen," which means "pot ashes". Potash is primarily used as an agricultural fertilizer because it is an excellent source of soluble potassium, which is one of the three primary plant macronutrients along with nitrogen and phosphorus. Potash is also used in industrial chemicals, animal feed, soap making, food production, water softening, road de-icing, pH adjustment, explosives, and more. Here are some key facts about potash:
- Potash is primarily used to produce fertilizer.
- Most potash is produced as potassium chloride (KCl) .
- Canada is the worlds largest producer and exporter of potash.
- Canada has the worlds largest potash reserves, with 1.1 billion tonnes of potash (potassium oxide equivalent) .
- Potash is an impure combination of potassium carbonate and potassium salt.
In many parts of the world, agricultural soils are gradually becoming depleted of potash, and some soils require regular inputs of potash to maintain their productivity. There are many excellent sources of potassium that can be used to sustain a productive and healthy ecosystem and replenish the soils nutrient reserve.
