K-Boost 3-2-17 organic potato fertiliser

K-Boost 3-2-17 organic potato fertiliser for crop nutrition

NPK 3-2-17 | Organic Matter 52.9% | Organic Trust certified

SoilWorx K-Boost 3-2-17 is a high-potassium organic crop nutrition product engineered specifically for potatoes and root crops. Blending poultry manure with sulphate of potash (SOP), K-Boost delivers the elevated potassium levels that drive tuber development, yield, skin finish and storage quality: while simultaneously building soil organic matter.

What is K-Boost 3-2-17

K-Boost combines two proven nutrient sources into a single, easy-to-apply pellet. The poultry manure component (52.9% organic matter) provides background nitrogen, phosphorus and a complete trace element profile. The sulphate of potash component raises the potassium content to 17% K2O: the level professional potato growers need to maximise yield and quality.

Unlike muriate of potash (MOP), the sulphate of potash in K-Boost is chloride-free. This matters for potatoes and other chloride-sensitive crops where excess chloride can reduce dry matter content, impair skin finish and compromise storage quality.

K-Boost is manufactured at our fully automated production facility, heat-treated and sterilised to eliminate pathogens and weed seeds. The result is a consistent, low-odour pellet that spreads evenly through conventional equipment.

Why potassium matters for potatoes

Potassium is the nutrient that potatoes consume in the greatest quantity: often exceeding 250 kg K2O per hectare in a commercial crop. It plays a critical role at every growth stage:

  • Tuber initiation: Adequate potassium supports the formation of a higher number of tubers per plant
  • Tuber bulking: Potassium drives the transport of carbohydrates from foliage to tubers, directly influencing yield
  • Skin quality: Well-supplied crops produce tubers with better skin set and appearance: important for ware and pre-pack markets
  • Disease resistance: Potassium strengthens cell walls, improving resistance to common scab, blackleg and soft rots
  • Storage quality: Tubers with adequate potassium nutrition store better, with less weight loss and bruising
  • Dry matter: Chloride-free potassium sources (like the SOP in K-Boost) maintain higher dry matter content than chloride-based alternatives

Technical specifications

Specification
Detail
Product Name
SoilWorx K-Boost 3-2-17
Total Nitrogen
3.0 %w/w
P2O5
2.1 %w/w
K2O
17.7 %w/w
Organic Matter
52.9%
Form
Pellet
Raw Material
Poultry manure + sulphate of potash (SOP)
Processing
Heat-treated and sterilised
Certifications
Organic Trust certified
Pack Sizes
1,250 kg and 600 kg bulk bags, 25 kg bag
Application Method
Base dressing pre-planting; conventional spreading equipment
Potassium Source
Chloride-free (sulphate of potash)

Key benefits

  • 17% K2O: the high potassium content potatoes demand for yield and quality
  • Chloride-free potassium: SOP-based, protecting dry matter content and skin quality
  • 52.9% organic matter: builds soil health while feeding the crop
  • Complete crop nutrition: background N, P and full trace element profile from the poultry manure component
  • Organic Trust certified: approved for certified organic potato production
  • Heat-treated and sterilised: no pathogens, no weed seeds, low odour
  • One-pass application: replaces separate applications of organic matter and potash fertiliser

Application guidance

When to Apply

Apply K-Boost as a base dressing before or at planting. For ridged potato systems, incorporate into the ridge during planting. For flat-bed systems, broadcast and incorporate before planting. Autumn application to the preceding crop’s stubble is also effective where soil potassium indices are low.

Application Rates

Rates depend on soil potassium index and target yield. As a general guide for potatoes at soil K index 1, apply 750–1,000 kg per ha to deliver approximately 130–170 kg K2O per ha. At higher soil indices, rates can be reduced. Use our Fertiliser Calculator for precise recommendations.

How to Apply

K-Boost pellets are compatible with all standard fertiliser spreaders. The consistent pellet form ensures accurate bout-to-bout distribution. For ridged potato systems, in-furrow or ridge-top placement maximises root contact.

Suitable crops

While formulated with potatoes in mind, K-Boost 3-2-17 is effective wherever high potassium is required:

  • Potatoes: Premium, ware, seed, processing and pre-pack varieties
  • Root vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, beetroot, turnips
  • Soft fruit: Strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants
  • Top fruit: Apples, pears, stone fruit
  • Vegetables: Brassicas, alliums, legumes grown on low-K soils

Frequently asked questions

Poultry manure is an excellent base for potato fertiliser because it supplies nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter and trace elements in a single application. However, raw poultry manure alone rarely provides enough potassium for a commercial potato crop. K-Boost solves this by blending poultry manure with sulphate of potash to raise the K2O content to 17%, meeting the full potassium requirement of the crop.

Virtually all crops benefit from the organic matter and balanced nutrition in poultry manure pellets. Potatoes, root vegetables and soft fruit particularly benefit from K-Boost’s elevated potassium. For crops with higher nitrogen demand (cereals, grassland), consider N-Boost 8-2-2. For all-round nutrition, Dynamo 4-2-3 is the standard choice.

SoilWorx pellets are manufactured to withstand the forces of mechanical spreading. They maintain their integrity through the spinner and on impact with the soil surface, ensuring accurate distribution and reducing dust. The pellets then break down gradually in contact with soil moisture, releasing nutrients over the growing season.

Yes. With 52.9% organic matter, K-Boost is both a fertiliser and a soil conditioner. The organic matter improves soil structure, increases water-holding capacity, improves drainage in heavy soils, and feeds beneficial soil organisms. This dual function is one of the key advantages of organic fertilisers over purely mineral alternatives.

Store K-Boost in a dry, covered area away from direct sunlight and moisture. Bags should be kept sealed until use. Properly stored, product has a shelf life exceeding 12 months. Avoid storing directly on bare earth: use pallets or a concrete floor to prevent moisture wicking.

K-Boost can be used as a standalone potato fertiliser or as part of a broader nutrition programme. In very high-yielding situations, a supplementary top dressing of nitrogen may be required mid-season. K-Boost is also compatible with foliar micronutrient programmes. Consult your agronomist or qualified adviser for a complete nutrition plan.

About SoilWorx

SoilWorx is produced at the UK and Ireland’s largest organic fertiliser plant in Newry, Northern Ireland, part of a circular economy that transforms agricultural by-products into high-value fertilisers. Find out more about how we make our products

Maximise your potato yields

Contact our team for potato crop nutrition advice, trial opportunities and trade pricing on K-Boost 3-2-17. Or speak to your agronomist or qualified adviser.