ICL Specialty
Fertilizers
PeKacid™ 0-60-20
Solid phos acid in bags
All from a Single Source
Notice of Warranty: ICL Fertilizers makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, reliability or
completeness of the information contained in this publication. It is not intended that any party rely, in any way, on the
information contained in this publication. ICL Fertilizers disclaims any liability with respect to any claims arising out of
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PeKacid™ 0-60-20
P solution for calcareous soils and hard water
PeKacid™ is a new, specially tailored PK fertilizer for fertigation (open-field and
soilless culture) under conditions of hard water and/or calcareous soils.
PeKacid™ is solid phosphoric acid in dry form, combining the advantages and
efficiency of phosphoric acid with the ease and safety of a solid crystalline fertilizer.
PeKacid™ has 100% assimilable nutrients, ensuring total availability of
phosphorus and potassium to the plant.
PeKacid™ is chloride and sodium free, ideal for the most delicate crops.
PeKacid™ is white, fully water-soluble and practically free of impurities and
residues. It quickly dissolves to a clear solution with no clogging of the irrigation
system.
PeKacid™ is eco-friendly: negligible amounts of heavy metals. No residual
contaminants or hazardous residues.
PeKacid™ is a unique patented product, manufactured by our own exclusive and
proprietary technology.
P
Mn
Cu
Fe
Zn
Low pH
Anti clogging action
Enhances nutrient uptake
Reduces water pH by
being applied directly
to hard water.
Provides acidity to
neutralize and
dissolve bicarbonates,
avoiding clogging of
pipes and drippers.
Acidifies the soil
environment thus
increasing the
availability and
uptake of phosphorus
and micronutrients.
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Chemical Properties
Composition
0-60-20
Double Salt - Monocrystal
Chemical Analysis (dry basis)
P2O5 (phosphorus)
60%
K2O (potassium)
20%
Cl (chloride)
90 ppm (max)
Na2O (sodium)
150 ppm (max)
Heavy Metals
less than 5 ppm
Cd (cadmium)
less than 1 ppm
As (arsenic)
less than 1 ppm
Physical Properties
Appearance
White, odorless crystals
Melting point
127°C
Solubility (H2O)
Fully soluble
Moisture
Less than 0.2%
Insolubles
Less than 0.1%
Bulk density
1.27 kg/liter (loose)
pH (1% solution)
2.2
EC (1 g/L at 25°C)
1.40 mS/cm
Solubility in water
670 g/L at 20°C
P2O5 to P: multiply P2O5 by 0.4364; K2O to K: multiply K2O by 0.8302
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Solubility (g/L)
PeKacid™ Solubility
750
700
650
600
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Temperature (ºC)
Effect of PeKacid™ on Solution pH
7
6
pH
5
4
3
acidifying power
2
1
0.00
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
% PeKacid™ in solution
PeKacid™ - High Solubility
Solubility (g/L at 20˚C)
800
670
600
370
400
213
200
0
PeKacid™
MAP
MKP
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Agronomic Advantages
PeKacid™ decreases the pH of water and soil, thus improving nutrient availability
and nutrient uptake efficiency, and increasing yields and quality of crops.
PeKacid™’s acidifying power increases the uptake of many nutrients and helps in
releasing fixed micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu) in calcareous/alkaline soils.
PeKacid™ supplies H2PO4- (orthophosphate) ion, which is a readily available form
of phosphorus (P). Its acidifying power decreases the P fixation in the fertigated
zone of the calcareous soil, thus improving the uptake of phosphorus.
PeKacid™ supplies potassium (K) in its valuable chloride-free form like in MKP
(monopotassium phosphate) and KNO3.
Integrating PeKacid™ in the early season application provides an excellent starter
fertilizer, ensuring quick and strong crop development.
Since PeKacid™ is a nitrogen-free fertilizer, it allows full and independent control
over the N level in the fertigation program, either by choosing the best form of
complementary N or by refraining from N application, in accordance with the
requirements of the crop.
PeKacid™ is compatible with calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) fertilizers.
Usually P fertilizers can not be mixed with Ca and Mg containing fertilizers and
therefore, two fertilizer tanks should be used or P and Ca/Mg should be applied at
different times. PeKacid™ allows the mixing with Ca and Mg fertilizers in soluble
NPK formulae, due to its low pH which avoids the precipitation of insoluble Ca/Mg
phosphates compounds.
PeKacid™ develops an acidic soil environment that reduces nitrogen
volatilization, which is very common when urea and/or ammonium fertilizers are
applied to calcareous soils. This increases the efficiency of N fertilizer use.
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Keep the System Clean
PeKacid™ provides acidity to neutralize and dissolve bicarbonates, thus avoiding the
problem of scaling and clogging of pipes and emitters/nozzles in the sensitive drip
irrigation system:
• Longer lifespan of the irrigation system.
• Uniform and efficient distribution of irrigation water and fertilizers.
• Less work needed.
• No additional acid needed.
The increased longevity of drip irrigation systems is an additional, special benefit special
benefit when applying PeKacid™ under SDI (subsurface drip irrigation).
When used in a concentrated form, PeKacid™ can also dissolve/disintegrate existing
carbonate deposits from calcium carbonates or calcium and iron phosphates.
PeKacid™ can replace alternative concentrated P fertilizers such as phosphoric acid,
MAP, MKP and UP, and become the ultimate P carrier for fertigation.
Blocked
Cleaning
Unblocked
Blocked dripper due
to precipitates formed
while using hard
irrigation water.
Dripper being cleaned
while using PeKacid™
(precipitates are
dissolved).
Cleaned, unblocked
dripper after using
PeKacid™.
PeKacid™ – Safe to use
PeKacid™ is a solid acid in a dry form. The product is free-flowing with no color or odor.
PeKacid™ can replace all or part of the other acids added to the fertigation program,
and offers a safer, user-friendly fertilizer source.
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How to Use PeKacid™ in Greenhouses
PeKacid™ as a nutrition source
1 kg of PeKacid™ added to 1 cubic meter of water contributes:
0.6 kg P2O5 = 0.262 kg P = 262 ppm P
0.2 kg K2O = 0.166 kg K = 166 ppm K
PeKacid™ as an acidifier
50% of the total P2O5 in PeKacid™ is from a phosphoric acid source and 50%
is from an MKP source; that is, 30% out of the 60% of P2O5 in PeKacid™ is from
phosphoric acid.
For full bicarbonate neutralization (pH~4.3)
At pH 4.3, 1 mol of phosphoric acid neutralizes 1 eq. of bicarbonate. As the
molecular weight of phosphoric acid is 98, there is 71 g of P2O5 in 1 mol
of phosphoric acid. Therefore 240 g of PeKacid™ neutralizes 1 eq. of
bicarbonate at pH 4.3 (71g/30% P2O5 from phosphoric acid in PeKacid™).
Neutralization to reach pH ~5.8
It is recommended to keep a level of 0.5 eq. bicarbonate in the nutrient solution in
order to keep some buffer capacity in the water and avoid the risk of pH dropping
to toxic levels. In this case, the solution pH is around 5.8.
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At pH 5.8 the phosphoric acid has a stronger neutralization capacity. The MKP has
a neutralization capacity as well. Thus less PeKacid™ is needed to neutralize 1
eq. of bicarbonate.
1 mol of phosphoric acid (98 g) contributes 1.8 eq of H+ which neutralizes 1.8 eq.
of bicarbonate at pH 5.8. Hence, only 40 g of P2O5 from a phosphoric acid source
is required to neutralize 1 eq. of bicarbonate.
The molecular weight of MKP is 136. There is 71 g of P2O5 (52%) in 1 mol of MKP.
1 mol of MKP neutralizes 0.8 eq. of bicarbonate at pH 5.8.
Only 92 g of PeKacid™ is required to neutralize 1 eq of bicarbonate
at pH 5.8 (28 g P2O5 from MKP neutralizes 0.3 eq. bicarbonate + 28 g of P2O5
from phosphoric acid neutralizes 0.7 eq of bicarbonate)
PeKacid™ in fertigation programs
In most programs, the required P concentration in the nutrient solution is 50-75 ppm.
The table below gives a guideline for fertigation composition at different
bicarbonate levels, to reach a desired pH of 5.8.
Bicarbonate
Bicarbonate
Bicarbonate
g PeKacid™
P from
K from
in source
in source
to be
required (based
PeKacid™
PeKacid™
water
water
neutralized
on 92 g to
(ppm)
(ppm)
(eq)
(ppm)
(eq)
neutralize 1 eq
bicarbonate)
0.5
31
0
0
0
0
1.0
61
0.5
46
12
8
1.5
92
1.0
92
24
15
2.0
122
1.5
138
36
23
2.5
153
2.0
184
47
30
3.0
183
2.5
230
59
38
3.5
214
3.0
276
71
45
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How to Use PeKacid™ in Open Field Crops
PeKacid™ as an acidifier for drip line cleaning
Apply 3.5-5 kg PeKacid™ per cubic meter of water within 15 minutes of irrigation.
Continue to irrigate for at least 15 more minutes with clean water.
For example, in an area being irrigated at a rate of of 40 m3 per hour, 10 m3 pass
through the system in 15 minutes. Inject 35-50 kg of PeKacid™ into the irrigation
water during the first 15 minutes of irrigation.
PeKacid™ as a pH buffer in the fertigation solution
• It is recommended to keep 0.5-1 mmol or meq bicarbonate/l in the irrigation
water, to buffer the water to pH ~6.0.
• Under these conditions - PeKacid™ at a rate of 92 g/m3 of water will neutralize
1 eq of bicarbonate.
• PeKacid™ should be applied based on the bicarbonate level in the water.
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The table below indicates the amount of PeKacid™ to be added at different water
qualities and the P and K nutrition contribution for each level. It is based on a
target pH of ~6.
Bicarbonate
Bicarbonate
Bicarbonate
g PeKacid™
P2O5 from
K2O from
in source
in source
to be
required (based
PeKacid™
PeKacid™
water
water
neutralized
on 92 g to
(ppm)
(ppm)
(eq)
(ppm)
(eq)
neutralize 1 eq
0
bicarbonate)
0.5
31
0
0
0
1.0
61
0.5
46
28
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1.5
92
1.0
92
55
18
2.0
122
1.5
138
83
28
2.5
153
2.0
184
110
37
3.0
183
2.5
230
138
46
3.5
214
3.0
276
166
55
4.0
244
3.5
322
193
64
4.5
275
4.0
368
221
74
5.0
305
4.5
414
248
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PeKacid™ as a nutrition source in fertigation solution
Add PeKacid™ at a rate of 100-500 g/m3, based on crops and environmental
conditions.
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2u.co.il I August 2013 I Printed on tree-free paper
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