Applications of Potassium Nitrate include:
- agriculture:
- use as a fertilizer: it is a source of nitrogen and potassium which are two of the macronutrients for plants and aquarium plants
- component (usually ~98%) of some tree stump removal products
- to induce flowering of mango trees in Philippines
- pyrotechnics:
- use in fireworks
- use in some explosives as oxidant for the fuel
- in rocket propellant
- one of the ingredients of black powder (gunpowder)
- use in explosives for mining & civil works
- to ensure complete combustion of paper cartridges for cap and ball revolvers
- added to cigarettes to maintain an even burn of the tobacco
- as an active ingredient of condensed aerosol fire suppression systems
- in thermal storage medium of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants
- to desensitize sore teeth (in toothpastes)
- as electrolyte in salt bridge
- in glass manufacturing
- in metal treatment