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Fertilizer use is the main driver behind potash consumption, especially for its use in fertilizing crops that contribute to high-protein diets. [22]: 23 As of at least 2010, more than 95% of potash is mined for use in agricultural purposes. [22]: 24 Elemental potassium does not occur in nature because it reacts violently with water. [34]
One of the major sources for chemical fertilizers is potash ore. [2] The other concern with the potash ore is the supply is finite and is running out, hence the increase in pricing. [1] Potash is one of the major sources for potassium and phosphorus and one of the original agrominerals. [2]
Because potash imparts excellent clarity to glass, it is commonly used in eyeglasses, glassware, televisions, and computer monitors. [ citation needed ] Because natural potassium contains a tiny amount of the isotope potassium-40 , potassium chloride is used as a beta radiation source to calibrate radiation monitoring equipment .
[22] [18] The industry developed out of demand for ashed soda, or potash, which was used to create glass and soap, and led to shortages for agricultural applications in traditional coastal communities. Potash is a water-soluble potassium rich concentrate made from plant matter, so it was also exported as a fertilizer. [18]
Calcium absorption is increased by water-soluble phosphate fertilizers, and is used when potassium and potash fertilizers decrease the uptake of phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. For these reasons, imbalanced application of potassium fertilizers can markedly decrease crop yields.
When PSB is used with rock phosphate, it can save about 50% of the crop requirement of phosphatic fertilizer. [ citation needed ] The use of PSB as inoculants increases P uptake by plants. Simple inoculation of seeds with PSB gives crop yield responses equivalent to 30 kg P 2 O 5 /ha or 50 percent of the need for phosphatic fertilizers.
The company was the world's largest potash producer and the third largest producer of nitrogen and phosphate, three primary crop nutrients used to produce fertilizer. At the end of 2011, the company controlled twenty percent of the world's potash production capacity, two percent of nitrogen production capacity and five percent of phosphate ...
Agricultural use of inorganic fertilizers in 2021 was 195 million tonnes of nutrients, of which 56% was nitrogen. [20] Asia represented 53% of the world's total agricultural use of inorganic fertilizers in 2021, followed by the Americas (29%), Europe (12%), Africa (4%) and Oceania (2%). This ranking of the regions is the same for all nutrients.