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Wondered what the difference in Pot. Nitrate and Potass. Sulfate is, as I have heard that the Potass. Sulfate is better for the soil. Last yr. the nitrate was applied which made the plants jump but I'm trying to get the soil back in balance this yr??? What should I use? Thanks Carl

3/21/2006 7:56:57 PM

Norton, MA

I think the nitrate one is highly explosive? No? Sorry, no info. I'd like to know too, it was recomended to me. AleX Noel.

3/21/2006 8:27:41 PM

Norton, MA

LOL! Yikes, I mean it was recommended to me in a fertilizer type of way, not explosive! LOL!

3/21/2006 8:29:07 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

0-0-50 Potassium sulfate K2SO4 (aka Sulfate of Potash) is a low chloride (less than 2%) salt (compared to 0-0-60 Muriate of Potash or Potassium Chloride) form of soluble potash. It contains (usually) 50% Potassium by weight with about 18% Sulfur.

13-0-38 Potassium Nitrate KNO3 has many uses besides just fertilizer. It is added to toothpaste for people with sensitive teeth caused by lack of enamel. I think it clogs the resulting holes but don't quote me on that.

The Army used to add it to a soldier food to make him less verile (the anti-Viagara! LOL). They called it Salt Peter.

Because it is an oxidizer, Nitrate is also used in ammunitions, gunpowder, matches, etc.

For our purposes, a general rule of thumb is to:

~ Use SOP when tilling in or side-dressing large amounts of potash especially if trying to "bankroll" soil potash while growing. This would be especially true where soil chloride buildup is a concern (low rainfall areas of clay & other sodic soil conditions).

~ Use MOP when making soil corrections especially where low soil chlorides are a concern (high precipitation on sandy soils). Yes, some chlorides are GOOD for plants. mMOP is the cheapest & most commonly used source of potash accounting for about 95% of all potash used worldwide.

~ Use Potassium Nitrate for foliar or other rapid response needs due to it's very quick availability (highly soluble) or when a little shot of Nitrogen is also needed. Floral grades of KNO3 are very low salt.

Here's a link you might find useful:

http://www.potash-info.com/potassium/potassiuminfertilisers/potassiuminfertiliserstext.htm

3/21/2006 10:36:35 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

The explosive you are thinking about is ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO). The quarries around here use it for blasting out limestone.

3/21/2006 11:20:59 PM

Utah

you might find this page useful
http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest/interp1.htm

3/22/2006 9:36:08 AM

Norton, MA

Ahh O.K. I remember. I saw a show on fireworks. You can make basic powder from charcoal, salt peter, and darn what's the third thing!? AleX Noel.

3/22/2006 8:54:59 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Gunpowder = Potassium Nitrate - Sulfur - Charcoal 15:3:2 by weight.

3/22/2006 11:06:38 PM

Norton, MA

Thanks Tremor. Now I can blow up pumpkins without having to illeally buy fireworks! Lead me on the road to legalness, homemade gunpowder! Cool! What can I say, I'm 15. LOL! AleX.

3/23/2006 9:08:30 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Me & my big mouth.

3/23/2006 10:40:25 PM