Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources

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In This Section

• Introduction
• PO 25 Plant nutrient sources
• PO 26 Form and analysis of nitrogen sources
• PO 27 Form and analysis of phosphorous sources
• PO 28 Form and analysis of potassium sources
• PO 29 Form and analysis of calcium or magnesium sources
• PO 30 Commercial fertlizer terms
• PO 31 Nutrient terms
• PO 32 Calculating fertilizer application rates
• PO 33 Calculating manure application rates
• PO 34 Fertlizer placement methods
• PO 35 Certifiable organic nutrient sources
• Summary

Competency Area 4: Nutrient Sources, Analyses, Application Methods

PO 28. Describe the physical form and analysis of each of the following potassium sources.

1. Potassium chloride
2. Potassium sulfate
3. Potassium nitrate
4. Potassium magnesium sulfate

1. Potassium chloride: KCl
• Fertilizer grade: Contains 60-63% K₂O
• Physical form: solid
• Most abundantly used potassium fertilizer
• Often referred to as Muriate of Potash
• Water soluble source of K
2. Potassium sulfate: K₂SO₄
• Fertilizer grade: 50% K₂O
• Physical form: solid
3. Potassium nitrate: KNO₃
• Fertilizer grade: contains about 13% N, 44% K₂O
• Physical form: solid
4. Potassium magnesium sulfate: K₂SO₄•MgSO₄
• Contains about 22% K₂O, 11% Mg, 22% S
• Physical form: solid, water-soluble
• Good source of Mg and S
• Often referred to as Sul-Po-Mag or K-Mag

Fertilizer Overview