K-Mag NATURAL Delivers 3-in-1 Fertilizer
to Organic Farmers
Organic growers now have access to an ancient sunken treasure of
nutrients that can improve their food and fiber fortune.
Organic Crops Need Balanced Fertility
Soil fertility is one of the most important factors in organic and low-input
farming.
Returning vital nutrients to the soil via composts, cover crops
and manures has long been recognized as an effective and sustainable
practice. However, achieving soil fertility levels necessary for
optimal growth, quality and yield can be difficult when using these
traditional organic crop amendments. It is very difficult to predict
the rate of nutrient release from these materials and most do not
contain nutrients in the correct ratios that plants require.
Recently
listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use
in organic production, K-Mag NATURAL is a unique, naturally-occurring
combination of three essential nutrients —potassium (22%
K2O), magnesium (11% Mg) and sulfur (22%
S). Because these nutrients are in the water-soluble, sulfate form,
they are readily available to the crop.
Safe for Sensitive Crops
Many crops have a low tolerance for chlorides in the soil or from fertilizers.
When excessive chloride is present, sensitive crops such as many fruits and
vegetables, can have lower quality and shorter shelf life.
K-Mag NATURAL is a low chloride fertilizer
source. Also, K-Mag NATURAL’s low salt index helps to minimize the risk of fertilizer “burn.”
Organic growers know that quality is a critical determinant of
price premiums. Top quality crops require an adequate supply of
all essential nutrients. If nutrient shortages exist, growth will
be limited by the nutrient in shortest supply.
K-Mag NATURAL Helps Provide K, Mg and S in the Right Balance.
Many organic crops must rely on their natural defense mechanisms to tolerate
disease, insects and environmental stress. Maintaining proper soil fertility
levels helps promote vigorous plants and healthy root systems that can better
resist disease and pests, thereby improving crop yield and quality.
K-Mag NATURAL — Where it Comes
From
K-Mag NATURAL comes from the world's largest and purest deposits of langbeinite
ore, one of the most soluble salts deposited in an ancient ocean. Millions
of years ago, part of what is now eastern New Mexico was a large, isolated
lake of ocean water. As the water evaporated, langbeinite was deposited,
and is now located 1,000 feet below the earth's surface.
Available Grades
To make this nutrient source of K, Mg and S available to organic agriculture,
K-Mag NATURAL is extracted, crushed, washed and made available in two grades — Granular
and Standard (smaller granules than Granular grade).
Three Nutrients in One
— Potassium is essential for protein synthesis and starch formation.
It improves the flavor and color of fruits and vegetables, and promotes quality
factors in growing crops. K promotes drought tolerance, winter hardiness, and
disease and insect resistance.
— Magnesium is at the heart of the pigment-containing
molecule, chlorophyll. As rates of photosynthesis decline, so do
quality and yield.
— Sulfur remains a key element in crop proteins.
It is a requirement for nitrogen fixation in legumes and vital
to vitamin synthesis in all plants, important determinants of crop
quality. Without sulfur, onions, garlic and mustard would not have
their unique tastes.
Summary of Benefits
Immediate Nutrient Availability — K-Mag NATURAL
is in the water-soluble, sulfate form, so its nutrients are readily
available. K-Mag NATURAL Granular dissolves slower than Standard
grade due to its larger granule size.
Low Chloride — Many fruits and
vegetables suffer
from lowered quality and shorter shelf life when exposed to high chloride levels
in the soil or from fertilizer. K-Mag NATURAL is low in chloride.
Low Salt Index — K-Mag NATURAL’s low salt
index helps to minimize the risk of fertilizer “burn.”
Does Not Affect Soil pH — K-Mag
NATURAL is a neutral salt and does not affect the soil pH. Many
fertilizer materials do contribute to the acidity of the soil.
Since most crops grow best in soils that are slightly acidic
to slightly alkaline, a neutral salt such as K-Mag NATURAL does
not contribute to reducing the soil pH below the desired range.
Three Nutrients in One
All natural product of potassium (22% K2O), magnesium (11% Mg) and sulfur (22%
S).
OMRI Listed — Listed by the
Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic
production, K-Mag NATURAL fits into
organic soil fertility programs.
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