Nutrient Composition and Agronomic Importance
Potassium Nitrate combines nitrate nitrogen (NO3-) with potassium (K+). Because nitrate is an anion that promotes cation uptake, it accelerates potassium absorption by plant roots and leaf cuticles far more efficiently than ammonium-based formulations.
Being completely free of chloride and sodium, it is safe for drip fertigation and foliar feeding in salinity-sensitive crops.
- Fruit development & sizing: Promotes rapid carbohydrate translocation from leaves to developing fruits, tubers, and pods.
- Quality enhancement: Enhances brix levels (sweetness), fruit coloration, rind strength, and post-harvest shelf life.
- Abiotic stress tolerance: Maintains cell turgor pressure during dry spells and reduces crop susceptibility to frost injury.
- Target crops: Ideal for grapes, pomegranates, bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, citrus, and floriculture.
Fertigation and Foliar Application Best Practices
Potassium Nitrate dissolves rapidly and completely in irrigation water without leaving insoluble grit that could clog drip emitters.
Applying during fruit-filling and bulking stages aligns fertilizer delivery directly with peak crop potassium requirements.
- Foliar spray: Apply during early morning or late afternoon when crop demand peaks during fruit enlargement.
- Fertigation: Inject through drip irrigation systems in split doses, followed by flushing with clean water to keep lines clean.
- Compatibility: Highly compatible with most soluble fertilizers; avoid combining directly with concentrated acids in stock tanks.
Official source
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Common questions
What nutrients are supplied by 13-00-45 fertilizer?
It supplies 13% Nitrate Nitrogen (NO3-N) and 45% water-soluble Potash (K2O), completely free of chloride.
Why is nitrate nitrogen superior during fruit development?
Nitrate nitrogen is immediately available for plant uptake without requiring microbial soil conversion, and it actively stimulates potassium absorption.
When is the optimal time to spray 13-00-45 on fruit crops?
The best stage is during fruit set, fruit sizing, and maturation to maximize fruit weight, color, and sugar accumulation.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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