Definition and Usage Area of Potassium nitrate

Potassium nitrate is known as a potassium compound with the formula KNO3. Potassium nitrate is mainly used in fertilizers, rocket propellants and in the manufacture of fireworks. If it is mixed with sulfur and charcoal in a certain amount, it brings black powder to the median. When used as a food additive, it is called E252 in European Union norms. It is obtained as a result of double decomposition with a mixture of sodium nitrate and potassium chloride compounds in solution. Sodium chloride precipitates from the mixture of boiling solutions, the solubility of which does not change much in temperature. Potassium nitrate, which has a higher solubility and remains in solution, becomes crystalline as a result of cooling. Potassium nitrate, which is among the three components of black powder, besides charcoal dust and sulfur,

Potassium nitrate is mostly used in fertilizers suitable for plants as nitrogen component and potassium substance from macro nutrients. When used as a pure fertilizer alone, the NPK ratio becomes 13-0-46. As a food preservative, potassium nitrate has been used for the preservation of meat from the Middle Ages to the present, but since sodium nitrate is more reliable to prevent bacterial infection, it has lost its importance as a food preservative today. In addition to the preservation of meat and meat products, it is also used to give them a red color. Potassium nitrate has an oxidizing property. Since it contains potassium substance, it creates a lilac colored flame upon combustion. For this reason, it is used in many compositions such as smoke bombs obtained by mixing amateur rocket propellants with sugar and potassium nitrate, and in fireworks. In addition, it is added to the tobacco blend before the cigarette is rolled in order to ensure that the tobacco burns properly. Potassium nitrate is found in some toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Recently, the use of potassium nitrate in toothpaste for the treatment of sensitive teeth has increased.

KNO3 can be applied from the soil, on leaves and with irrigation and drip and sprinkler systems. There are 2 different types: Pril KNO3 is a crystalline and low pH KNO3 substance. Pril type KNO3 is suitable for direct soil applications. It is easy to use by machine and manual spreading. It is mixed with other fertilizers in the form of granules or prills. It is suitable for use before planting or in hoeing and irrigation. Crystal KNO3 is suitable for use in drip irrigation systems and foliar applications.

Usage areas

• Since potassium nitrate does not contain sodium and chlorine, it can be used safely in all plants.
• Vegetables can be used in every way with irrigation systems. It provides abundant yield, smooth and high-quality products.
• It increases the amount and quality of fruit in citrus products and prevents fruit shedding. It provides a larger and higher quality yield in potatoes. It creates a reducing effect on warehouse losses.
• It increases the dry matter rate. It increases flowering, fruit quantity and quality in fruits with hard seeds.
• It creates high aroma ratio, and color and sugar ratio in melon and watermelon. It increases the brightness of the shells, resistance to plant diseases and provides early maturation.
• It increases the number of bolls in cotton, increases the weight and fiber quality of the cotton. It is used safely in all flowers.
• It has a direct effect on flower quality in terms of color and smoothness. It improves the quality of grapes in the vineyard.
• It increases the sugar rate of grapes and provides an effect to increase the resistance against diseases.
• In tobacco, it will provide high product and quality leaves.