INTEGRATED REPORT 2016
What is Potassium and Why is It Important?
We Ensure Global Food Security
Potassium is a vitally important element for all living organisms. It is a natural component of soils and, along with phosphorus and nitrogen, an irreplaceable nutrient for plants and agricultural crops. A balanced plant nutrition can only be ensured by a regular and timely application of these three main macronutrients.
WHY DO PLANTS NEED POTASSIUM?
- Increases the nutrient level, improves the taste, colour and structure of fruits
- Improves resistance to crop diseases
- Improves resistance to droughts and frost
- Increases the rate of nitrogen assimilation
WHY DO FARMERS USE POTASH?
- Maximises the efficiency of compound fertilisers
- Enables a consistently high product quality
- Maintains the natural balance of minerals in and causes a minimal impact on soils
If properly used, potash does not pollute the environment and does not reduce the quality of natural drinking water
WHY PEOPLE NEED POTASSIUM
- Improves supply of oxygen to the brain
- Involved in the transmission of neural impulses
- Potassium compounds activate enzymes
- Normalises heart rhythm
- Has a beneficial effect on kidneys
- Regulates the water balance in cells and tissues
- Regulates metabolic processes
- Has a beneficial effect on skin
- Regulates the acid-base balance of blood
- Prevents accumulation of sodium in cells
WHY MANKIND CANNOT DO WITHOUT POTASH
The world’s population is growing, while the arable land per capita is declining, so people feel the need for higher crop yields.
Scientific studies show that the maximum yield and consistently high quality of crops can only be achieved by providing plants with all necessary nutrients (including potassium) in the required amounts.
REMOVAL OF POTASH FROM SOILS
International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA)
