Can Potassium Nitrate Enhance Soil's Nitrogen Levels?

Potassium

• Potassium stimulates early growth in germinating seeds and young seedlings. It improves a plant's ability to use water and other nutrients efficiently and increases the production of protein. When potassium levels are sufficient, plants have better resistance to diseases, insects and cold. Although potassium is found naturally in the soil, horticulturists at the University of Minnesota Extension estimate that 90 to 98 percent of the potassium found in the soil is not usable by plants.

Nitrogen

• Plants need nitrogen for the production of proteins, enzymes and chlorophyll, the green pigment necessary for photosynthesis to occur. Nitrogen affects plant growth as well as fruit and seed production. The air is about 78 percent nitrogen, but only a few plants, such as beans and alfalfa, can use atmospheric nitrogen. The nitrogen cycle that takes nitrogen from the air and from plant and animal waste and turns it into plant-usable nitrogen usually cannot keep up with nitrogen lost through agricultural and gardening practices.

Potassium Nitrate

• Potassium nitrate is 13 percent nitrogen, 44 percent potassium, and 100 percent water soluble. Fertilizer manufacturers use potassium nitrate in their formulas as a potassium source and as an additional source of nitrogen. Since potassium nitrate is also water soluble, both the nitrogen and the potassium are readily available to the plants after watering or after rain. Check the derived from statement on the fertilizer label to determine if the nitrogen and potassium come from potassium nitrate.

Precaution

• Although potassium nitrate is an effective source of both nitrogen and potassium for plants, it must be used with care. Test your soil before fertilizing to determine if your soil is actually deficient in these nutrients. Over application of nitrogen and potassium can damage plants and harm the environment as they leach or run off into ground waters and other waterways.