Helping industry produce premium potash to support the global agricultural community

hElPING INDuSTRY PRODuCE PREMIuM POTASh TO SuPPORT ThEGlObAl AGRICulTuRAl COMMuNITY

By erin Matthews

Demand for potash is at an all-time high. While potash has some valuable industrial uses, most of the world’s production goes towards supporting the agricultural industry. As demand for a variety of food crops increases, farmers and industry are looking for premium fertilizer to maximize their yields.

As a world leader in potash production, Saskatchewan’s industry is rising to the challenge to meet global needs for 2022 and beyond.

The Saskatchewan Research Council’s (SRC) Mining and Minerals team has supported the industry since its early days in the 1960s. From developing analytical methods for the exploration sector to supporting processing, digital innovation, and emissions reduction, SRC has the expertise to help Saskatchewan’s industry expand potash production worldwide to meet growing demand.

Saskatchewan potash production is in the form of potassium chloride (KCL) and is referred to as muriate of potash (MOP). MOP is the most common potash found in the world and is used to fertilize a wide variety of crops. It provides key nutrients to plants and enriches the soil, helping to satisfy the demand for increased yields of cereal crops, fruits, and vegetables. Photo courtesy of srC.

While MOP is the most abundant potash in the world, it does have some drawbacks. Its high chloride content can be beneficial for chloride-tolerant plants, but its use can pose a problem for soils that are already high in chloride.

Too much chloride can reduce soil fertility leading to stagnant crop growth and toxicity within the plant. Getting the right balance of nutrients is key for healthy soils and good yields.

High chloride or high soil salinity is a big concern for agricultural producers across the world. For instance, in southwestern Australia, soil salinity and chloride-heavy soils are impacting agricultural production. SRC is working directly with the industry to create potash that will improve soil quality and enhance crop health.

Sulphate of potassium (SOP) is considered a premium fertilizer that can deliver key nutrients like potassium and sulphur to crops. Unlike MOP, SOP doesn’t contain chlorides and can be used in a variety of soil compositions—including soils that have high concentrations of chloride and sodium.

“SOP is a premium product because it contains potassium and also sulphate,” says Dr. Jack Zhang, associate vice-president of strategic technologies in SRC’s Mining and Minerals Division.