Potash is likely a word that most people have heard from time to time, but also have no idea what it is. If you encounter anyone who wants to know what is potash, look to the plant world to start your explanation. More specifically, look toward the fertilizer that feeds the plants. Most fertilizers rely on potassium as a key ingredient to nourish plants and help them flourish. Most of the potassium that is used in fertilizers is in the form of potassium chloride, and comes from potash. But what is potash?
Potash is a mineral that must be mined from deep within the earth. Some potash mines are more than 3,000 feet underground, but the worldwide need for potassium in fertilizer more than makes up for the effort. The majority of the potash that is mined for use in fertilizers was deposited in the earth when ancient seas and oceans evaporated over the course of several centuries. These deposits of potash are rich in potassium, and work perfectly as a plant nutrient. More than 90% of the potash that's brought out of the ground is used in the production of plant fertilizers. The remaining 10% is used for household items and in industry.
Early American settlers made up the word potash when they created a process to produce potassium. This process involved evaporating water by filtering it through wood ashes. The residue from the ashes would remain in large iron pots, and be made into soap. The residue that was sitting in the pots was referred to as "potash." Anyone wondering what is potash made from would likely be interested in this fact. North America is a leader in potash production, and western Canada accounts for 75% of all North American potash production.
Some people may also wonder, what is potash good for as an ingredient in the fertilizer? Usually, potash as potassium chloride is paired with phosphate and nitrogen to form a powerful combination. As far as the potash goes, it acts to make the roots and stems of the plants stronger, help the plant hold onto water, and slow down the incidence of disease. Potash also helps with the nutritional quality of many food plants by increasing the protein and regulating overall energy. The stem and stalk strengthening capabilities of potash in fertilizer are essential to having good yields of huge cash crops like corn.
The answer to the question "what is potash" is found deep inside the earth, and in the pant nutrition that feeds a multitude of different crops. While potash takes the form of potassium chloride, potassium is also available in other forms. Potassium is available in forms such as potassium sulphate, potassium nitrate, potassium magnesium sulphate and potassium hydroxide. Most of these forms are also used for plant fertilizer, usually when specific conditions exist that make the addition of a different compound or chemical beneficial. Potash may have started in long ago seas and oceans, but today it helps to grow crops that feed people all over the world.
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Find out why Potash is essential to boosting the world's food production, and why efficient mining solutions are key.
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