Glossary
General
Mixed fertilizers contain more than one nutrient. Fertilizer graded as 5-20-20 contains 5% nitrogen (N), 20% phosphorus (P2O5) and 20% potash (K2O) by weight. The nutrient breakdown is always stated in the same order, and is referred to in the industry as N-P-K.
Liquid fertilizers come in two types: solution, in which all the plant nutrients are dissolved in solution; and suspension, a saturated solution in which some plant nutrients are suspended (by gelling clay).
Metric tonnes equal 2,204.6 pounds or 1,000 kilograms. Most offshore sales are made in metric tonnes and US dollars. To convert to short tons, multiply by 1.1023.
North American and Export or Offshore Markets The North American market includes Canada and the United States, while the export or offshore market is the rest of the world.
Product tonne is a standard metric measure of the weights of all types of potash, phosphate and nitrogen products.
Short tons are the equivalent of 2,000 pounds. They are rarely used in Canada since metrication but are used in the United States. The corporation's US price lists are in US dollars per short ton. To convert to metric tonnes, multiply by 0.9072.
FSU is the former Soviet Union.
Grain includes wheat, rice and coarse grains, unless otherwise noted.
E is for Estimated.
F is for Forecasted.
Potash
Potassium (K) is the seventh most common element in the earth's crust. Economically recoverable deposits are usually found combined with chlorine in the chemical compound potassium chloride, commonly referred to as potash.
Potash (KCl) Potash fertilizer is muriate of potash (KCl, potassium chloride). Potassium also combines with other materials in specialty fertilizers such as potassium sulfate (K2SO4), potassium magnesium sulfate (K2Mg2(SO4)3) or potassium nitrate (KNO3).
K2O is potassium oxide, a term used in the fertilizer industry to define potassium content. To convert KCl product tonnes to K2O, multiply by 0.61.
K2O tonnes are units of measurement of the nutrient value of potassium-containing fertilizers produced by different facilities. PotashCorp potash product is guaranteed to contain a minimum of 60% K2O.
Canpotex Limited is an export company owned by all Saskatchewan potash producers. Sales through Canpotex are generally allocated pro rata to each producer on the basis of productive capacity. In 2008, PotashCorp provided 54% of Canpotex product.
Constructed capacity means equipment is in a state of readiness to produce. While constructed capacity is increased at mechanical completion of a project, a period of ramp-up is required to achieve full operating rates.
Phosphate
Phosphorus (P) is widely distributed in nature in combination with other elements. Economically recoverable deposits most commonly contain phosphate rock (apatite), which is used in production of phosphate fertilizers and phosphate chemicals.
DAP, diammonium phosphate, is the major solid phosphate fertilizer. Its excellent handling properties and N-P-K composition 18-46-0 make it well suited to both large- and small-scale agriculture.
MAP, monoammonium phosphate, is a solid fertilizer with a typical N-P-K composition 13-52-0.
TSP, triple super phosphate, is a solid fertilizer produced from phosphate rock and phosphoric acid, which has N-P-K composition 0-46-0.
MGA, merchant grade phosphoric acid available in amber or green, has N-P-K composition 0-54-0. It is primarily used to produce DAP.
Superphosphoric acid (SPA), with N-P-K composition 0-70-0, is used to manufacture liquid fertilizers. PCS Phosphate's LoMag is superphosphoric acid with its magnesium content substantially reduced through filtration.
P2O5, phosphoric pentoxide, is a term used to express content of phosphorus. To convert P to P2O5, multiply by 2.2915.
P2O5 tonnes are the units of measurement of phosphorus-containing fertilizers, which vary from product to product. DAP is typically 46% P2O5.
Animal and poultry feed supplements (Dical, Monocal, DFP) are an important source of phosphate nutrients. They are solid products with differing calcium and phosphate contents. These products are sold on the basis of their phosphorus content.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen (N) is a gas which makes up 78 percent of the atmosphere. It is an essential nutrient for plant growth. Some plants, including legumes such as soybeans, can fix nitrogen from the air, but most take it from the soil. It must be applied to soil for each crop because its nutrient value is consumed during each growing season.
Ammonia (NH3) is produced primarily from natural gas and air as the first step in the production of nitrogen fertilizers. It can also be applied directly to soils. Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is a gas with N-P-K composition 82-0-0, which is changed under pressure to a liquid, and stored and transported in this form.
Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), with N-P-K composition 34-0-0, is water-soluble and used as a solid in industrial applications and as a liquid in nitrogen solutions. Half its nitrogen is in ammonium form, half in nitrate form.
Nitric acid (HNO3), produced by an ammonia oxidation process, is used in the production of ammonium nitrate and as an intermediate for industrial purposes.
Nitrogen solutions (UAN) are produced by blending ammonium nitrate and urea solutions. Used in manufacturing starter fertilizers and for direct application on soils, they vary in nitrogen content (28-32%) and are non-pressure solutions.
Urea (CO(NH2)2), N-P-K composition 46-0-0, is the most commonly produced and widely traded nitrogen product. It is used as fertilizer and for industrial purposes.