Potash is the common term for the element Potassium (chemical symbol, K ). It is the third fertilizer nutrient. North American farmers routinely use large amounts of fertilizer potassium, though less than nitrogen and phosphorus. Potassium is less expensive, less difficult to manage and more environmentally friendly than N or P. [link to information on potassium chemistry: the element potassium]

This publication is divided into 4 sections (web pages), as listed below. It is recommended to progress through the sections in the order shown.

1. Background on soil potash
   
2. The soil potash cycle
   
3. Management of the soil potash cycle
   
4. Nutritional disorders caused by excess potash

Note on terms used in this publication: by long-standing convention fertilizer analysis and crop nutrient requirements are expressed on the oxide basis (chemical formula K₂O) rather than as elemental potassium (chemical symbol K). To maintain consistency all references to crop potash requirements and potash fertilizers will be in K₂O equivalents.

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