Potassium bicarbonate can be used as a contact fungicide in a variety of crops, e.g. grapevine, pome and stone fruit, berries and soft fruit, vegetables and cereals. In Europe, efficacy trials are still underway at present. It is applied with standard spray equipment at a rate of 2 to 8 kg/ha, with a maximum of 8 applications per year. It mainly inhibits fungus mycelium development. Its mode of action is linked with osmotic pressure, pH and specific bicarbonate/carbonate ion effects. In some crops, potassium bicarbonate has the potential to replace copper or sulfur fungicides.
- Cas No: 298-14-6
- Formula: KHCO3
- IUPAC ID: potassium hydrogen carbonate
- Acidity (pKa): 10.329 6.351 (carbonic acid)
- Soluble in: Water