Muriate of Potash (MOP)
or Potassium Chloride
N% | P% | K% | S% | Zn% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Typical Analysis | 0 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 0 |
- Chemical Name
- Potassium chloride
- Crop Segments
- All
- Features
- Most economic form of soluble potassium.
- Quality & Handling
- Nominal 2-4 mm particle sizing, pink in colour.
Bulk density 1.05 tonnes per cubic metre. - Blending
- Blends with most other products.
1. Features and benefits
- Potassium stimulates the growth of strong stems and gives the plant some disease resistance by promoting thickness of the outer cell walls.
- Adequate potassium can reduce moisture loss from growing plants, thereby giving some drought resistance.
- Potassium improves colour, flavour and storing quality of fruit and vegetables.
- MOP is the most concentrated form of granular potassium and typically the most cost effective.
- The even granule size of MOP allows for accurate spreading.
- MOP is commonly blended with SSP to supply major nutrients for pasture based systems
2. Manufacture
Occurs as a natural salt and after processing to cleanse out unwanted salts (especially common salt), it is usually compacted into ‘chips’ and screened to meet size specifications.
3. Uses
MOP is used extensively for fertilising pastures, sugar cane, fruit trees, vegetables, and other field crops.
4. Storage and handling
- MOP stores well in bulk or in bags. It is not hygroscopic. MOP is particularly corrosive and so metal parts should be protected. After use, wash out equipment.
5. Restrictions
- MOP should not be used on salt sensitive crops, where soil salt levels are high or increasing, or where irrigation water has high salt levels.
- Do not place MOP near seed unless the seed has been protected by lime-coating or inoculation.
- Do not store in silos.