Global perspective of potash for fertilizer production

Abstract

Potash is used as a fertilizer to fulfil the requirement of potassium (K) which is one of the essential macronutrients among NPK fertilizers that are widely used in agriculture to increase crop production. Potash is the common name given to a naturally occurring potassium salt, e.g. sylvinite. These salts are water soluble and thus are available for the plant. The sources of potash are sulfosalts found in rock and clay within various geological sets. Potash is mined and processed in few countries (Canada, Belarus, Russia, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Spain, China, the USA, Israel, Jordan, UK and Ukraine). This commodity is consumed in a large number of countries of the world which reflects its importance for discovery of new deposit. The aim of this review is to highlight the various deposits of potash globally to fulfil the current requirement of potassium fertilizers for agricultural production.