Potassium Chloride 0-0-62, also called muriate of potash (MOP), is one of the most concentrated and widely used dry potassium fertilizers in agriculture. It supplies water-soluble potassium for chloride-tolerant field crops, lawns, turf, and broadacre fertility programs where low cost per unit of K₂O matters. Always base potassium application rates on a current soil test.
At 62% K₂O, potassium chloride is one of the most concentrated dry potassium fertilizers available. This high analysis means less product is needed per unit of K₂O applied — an advantage for large acreage and high-demand crop programs.
Muriate of potash is often the lowest-cost source of K₂O for chloride-tolerant crops. Potassium sulfate typically costs more per unit of K₂O but is preferred where chloride sensitivity or sulfur needs matter — making KCl the economic default for broadacre field crops.
Fully water-soluble for properly managed soil and fertigation programs. Its high salt index means foliar and hydroponic applications require careful concentration management and are not appropriate for chloride-sensitive crops.
Potassium activates over 80 plant enzymes involved in root elongation, cell division, and carbohydrate transport — supporting deeper, more resilient root systems that improve drought resistance and nutrient uptake efficiency.
Adequate potassium thickens cell walls, regulates stomatal opening, and triggers systemic defense responses — reducing susceptibility to fungal pathogens, cold injury, and water stress during critical growth periods.
Potassium is the primary osmotic regulator in plants, driving the movement of water, sugars, and other nutrients through the phloem. Adequate K supply directly improves the efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus uptake.
The chloride component of muriate of potash has been associated with reduced severity of common root and foliar diseases in wheat, barley, and corn, and may improve nitrogen use efficiency by slowing nitrification — potentially contributing yield benefits alongside the potassium effect.
Potassium is associated with improved fruit set, starch accumulation, and post-harvest shelf life in responsive crops. Research in grain crops shows improved test weight and marketable yield when potassium needs — as determined by soil testing — are fully met.
Widely used in corn, wheat, soybeans, alfalfa, cotton, and turfgrass fertility programs worldwide. CDFA registered and consistent with standard agronomic recommendations for chloride-tolerant crops.
Independently lab tested for heavy metal content to ensure consistent purity. Greenway Biotech sources high-quality crystalline potassium chloride refined for agricultural use.
Potassium Chloride 0-0-62 is sourced from natural mineral deposits — primarily sylvinite and carnallite ores — mined and refined into high-purity crystalline form. Greenway Biotech selects agricultural-grade KCl for consistent solubility, uniform particle size, and verified potassium content.
Natural mineral salt providing 62% K₂O and approximately 47% chloride. Mined from evaporite deposits and refined to agricultural purity for consistent solubility and performance.
Chloride-free potassium with 17% sulfur. Preferred for chloride-sensitive crops like tomatoes, berries, and tobacco. Higher cost per unit of K₂O.
Sulfate of potash magnesia providing potassium, magnesium, and sulfur in a single chloride-free source. Excellent for soils deficient in both K and Mg.
Phosphorus and potassium in a single source with no chloride or nitrogen. Used for bloom-stage feeding and in crops requiring both P and K.
Potassium chloride contains zero nitrogen and zero phosphorus — it is a single-nutrient fertilizer designed to address potassium deficiency directly, without altering N or P ratios. At 62% K₂O, it is one of the most concentrated potassium fertilizers commercially available, and the most widely used potassium source in broadacre agriculture worldwide.
No nitrogen is present by design. Use potassium chloride alongside a separate nitrogen source (urea, ammonium sulfate, calcium nitrate) to build a complete nutrient program tailored to crop stage and soil test results.
No phosphorus present. For crops requiring both K and P, pair with MAP 12-61-0 or MKP 0-52-34 to supply phosphorus. Note: potassium chloride is compatible with phosphate sources in most blended dry fertilizer programs.
Potassium is the primary macronutrient in this formula. As the most abundant cation inside plant cells, K⁺ governs enzyme activation, phloem loading, stomatal regulation, and osmotic potential — functions that directly affect yield, quality, and stress tolerance.
Potassium activates more than 80 enzymes in plants, including those controlling protein synthesis, starch formation, and ATP production. No other nutrient activates as many enzymatic processes.
Guard cells open and close stomata using K⁺ ion flux. Well-supplied plants maintain more precise stomatal control, improving water use efficiency and reducing wilting under heat or drought stress.
Potassium drives the active loading of sucrose into the phloem, enabling efficient translocation from leaves to developing fruits, seeds, and roots. Potassium-deficient plants accumulate sugars in leaves rather than partitioning them to harvest organs.
Potassium promotes synthesis of structural carbohydrates that reinforce cell walls. Thicker walls are physically harder for fungal hyphae to penetrate, providing a passive disease barrier that complements systemic immunity.
Research in wheat and barley has shown that chloride application may reduce the severity of common root rot, take-all, and stripe rust. Chloride's suppressive effect is associated with its influence on soil pH and microbial competition around the root zone, though responses vary by soil type, pathogen pressure, and crop.
Chloride is an essential micronutrient required for the water-splitting reaction in photosystem II and for charge balance in cellular compartments. Most soils supply adequate chloride naturally, but deficiencies occur in inland, high-rainfall, or intensively leached soils.
Crops such as tobacco, potatoes, many berries, grapes, tomatoes, and peppers may perform better with sulfate-based potassium sources. Sensitivity varies by crop, cultivar, irrigation water quality, and soil drainage. When chloride accumulation is a concern, choose Potassium Sulfate 0-0-53 or K-Mag 0-0-22.
Important: Potassium programs for field crops should always be based on a current soil test and estimated crop removal. The ranges below are general reference figures for medium-testing soils at typical yield goals. Actual rates may be higher or lower depending on soil test level, expected yield, soil texture, and local extension recommendations.
| Crop | Typical K₂O Removal (lbs/acre) | Approx. KCl Needed to Supply That K₂O | Timing Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa (per cutting) | 50–70 lbs K₂O | ~80–115 lbs KCl | Apply after each cutting; confirm with soil test |
| Corn (200 bu/acre) | ~165 lbs K₂O | ~266 lbs KCl | Pre-plant broadcast or split with side-dress |
| Cotton | Highly variable by yield goal | Consult local extension | Split applications strongly recommended |
| Peanuts | Highly variable by yield goal | Consult local extension | Soil test essential; apply at pegging stage (beginning of pod development) |
| Soybeans (50 bu/acre) | ~130 lbs K₂O | ~210 lbs KCl | Pre-plant broadcast |
| Wheat / Barley | ~65–100 lbs K₂O | ~105–160 lbs KCl | Fall or early spring; based on soil test |
| Application | Rate | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetable Gardens (tolerant crops) | 1–2 lbs per 100 sq ft | Pre-plant + mid-season |
| Lawns & Turf | 10–15 lbs per 1,000 sq ft/year | Split into 2–3 applications |
| Ornamental Beds | 1–1.5 lbs per 100 sq ft | Spring + fall |
| Trees & Shrubs | 0.5–1 lb per inch of trunk diameter | Annual; apply at drip line |
| Method | Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fertigation (drip injection) | 2–3 lbs per 100 gallons | Inject weekly during active growth; monitor EC |
| Hydroponic (with caution) | Use only in carefully controlled formulations | Not preferred for recirculating systems; sulfate-based K sources recommended for most crops. Monitor EC and chloride closely if used. |
| Foliar Spray | Use with caution — low concentrations only | High salt index increases burn risk. Test on a small area first; soil or fertigation applications are safer for most growers. |
| Stock Solution (fertigation) | 3 lbs per gallon | For fertigation systems only — dilute 1:100 before injection. Not intended for hydroponic formulations. |
| Package Size | Garden Coverage (1.5 lbs/100 sq ft) | Lawn Coverage (12.5 lbs/1,000 sq ft) | Field Coverage (200 lbs/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 lbs | ~133 sq ft | ~160 sq ft | — |
| 5 lbs | ~333 sq ft | ~400 sq ft | — |
| 25 lbs | ~1,667 sq ft | ~2,000 sq ft | ~0.1 acre |
| 50 lbs | ~3,333 sq ft | ~4,000 sq ft | ~0.25 acre |
Rather than broadcasting the full rate pre-plant, apply 50–60% of the seasonal potassium rate as a banded application 2 inches to the side and 2 inches below the seed at planting. This concentrates K near developing roots and reduces the total product needed — a common practice in commercial corn and soybean production that can improve early-season uptake without increasing soil salinity risks from a single heavy broadcast.
Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for complete safety information.
Potassium chloride supplies potassium only — pair it with complementary fertilizers to build a complete nutrient program for your specific crops and soil conditions.
The highest-concentration nitrogen source available. Combine with KCl for a high-analysis NK dry blend suitable for corn, wheat, and grass programs.
Nitrogen + sulfur in one product. Pairs well with KCl for sulfur-deficient soils growing nitrogen and potassium-demanding crops like corn and alfalfa.
High-phosphorus nitrogen source. Combine with KCl for NPK programs requiring concentrated phosphorus delivery alongside potassium.
Nitrate nitrogen + calcium. In fertigation programs, mix calcium nitrate and KCl in separate stock tanks — dilute each independently before combining in the main tank to avoid precipitation.
Chloride-free potassium with 17% sulfur. The recommended alternative for chloride-sensitive crops — keep both on hand when managing mixed-crop operations.
Soluble nitrogen and magnesium for fertigation programs. Addresses magnesium deficiency in high-K soils where potassium can antagonize magnesium uptake.
Potassium chloride (KCl) is the most concentrated and widely used potassium fertilizer in the world, containing 62% K₂O. Its key distinction from other potassium sources is that it contains approximately 47% chloride alongside potassium. Potassium sulfate (0-0-53) supplies potassium with sulfur and no chloride — preferred for chloride-sensitive crops. K-Mag (0-0-22) supplies potassium, magnesium, and sulfur without chloride. Muriate of potash is the lowest-cost option per unit of K₂O, making it the dominant choice for chloride-tolerant field crops on large acreage.
Crops that are sensitive to elevated chloride levels include tobacco (chloride reduces leaf quality), potatoes (can lower specific gravity and cause internal blackening), strawberries and raspberries (reduces sugar content), grapes (affects wine quality), tomatoes and peppers (quality and flavor impacts), citrus (leaf burn risk), and ornamentals like azaleas and rhododendrons. For any of these crops, use Potassium Sulfate 0-0-53 or K-Mag 0-0-22 as chloride-free alternatives. When in doubt, a soil chloride test can help determine whether chloride accumulation is already a concern.
Potassium is involved in more plant physiological processes than any other mineral nutrient except nitrogen. It activates over 80 plant enzymes, regulates stomatal opening and closing (which controls water use and CO₂ intake), drives sugar loading into the phloem for transport to fruits and roots, and strengthens cell walls against disease and physical stress. Potassium deficiency typically shows as scorching or browning along leaf margins, reduced fruit size, and increased susceptibility to drought and disease. For a deeper look at potassium's role in plant health, see our article: What is the Function of Potassium (K) in Plants?
Yes, with care. Use separate stock tanks for calcium fertilizers and other concentrated fertilizer salts whenever possible. Always dilute each independently before combining in your main fertigation tank, and jar-test unfamiliar tank mixes before injecting. At working concentrations (2–3 lbs KCl per 100 gallons), the two are widely used together in greenhouse and drip irrigation programs, but concentrated solutions should never be mixed directly.
Chloride is actually an essential plant micronutrient — required in small amounts for the water-splitting step in photosynthesis and for osmotic regulation. In grain crops like wheat and barley, chloride has been shown in research to suppress common root rot, take-all disease, and strip rust, often improving yields beyond what potassium alone would provide. The concern with chloride arises with sensitive crops or when chloride accumulates in soil through repeated high-rate KCl applications without adequate leaching. Sandy, high-rainfall soils rarely develop chloride problems; heavier soils with limited drainage or irrigation water already high in chloride deserve more attention. For more on how potassium and manganese interact in plant nutrition, see: What is the Role of Manganese and Potassium?
Potassium chloride has a salt index of approximately 116 (relative to sodium nitrate = 100), which is among the highest of any common potassium fertilizer. A high salt index means the product creates more osmotic pressure in the soil solution per unit weight, which can slow germination, reduce root growth, and cause foliar burn if applied at excessive rates or in direct contact with seeds, seedling roots, or foliage. Practical management: avoid seed-zone contact, split high rates into multiple applications, water in thoroughly after broadcast application, and keep foliar concentrations low — test on a small area first.
Muriate of potash is often the lowest-cost source of K₂O for chloride-tolerant crops. Potassium sulfate typically costs more per unit of K₂O but is preferred when the crop is chloride-sensitive, the soil is already high in chloride, sulfur is needed alongside potassium, or product quality is a primary concern (sugar crops, premium vegetables, tobacco). For mixed operations with both tolerant and sensitive crops, keeping both products on hand is the most flexible approach.
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