Potassium nitrate

Potassium nitrate is a chemical compound with a sharp, salty, bitter taste and the chemical formula KNO . It is an ionic salt of potassium ions K⁺ and nitrate ions NO and is therefore an alkali metal nitrate. It occurs in nature as a mineral, niter. It is a source of nitrogen, and nitrogen was named after niter.Potassium nitrate improves the efficiency of water use. It is responsible for the opening and closing of the stomata, potassium minimizes plant transpiration and thereby reduces its water requirements.