sodium nitrate liquid is a water-soluble salt that can be used as a preservative for foods. It also helps cured meats to retain their color and dehydrates harmful bacteria.
Among other uses, it is a component of rocket propellants and gunpowder. It is often called “white gold.”
In 19th-century wars, the South American country of Chile fought against Bolivia and Peru to gain territory in the Atacama Desert, which was rich in sodium nitrate. Until the 1940s, this was a natural compound that could only be mined by hand, but in the 20th century, it became a synthetic chemical made by converting ammonia from the atmosphere on an industrial scale.
Sodium nitrate has several uses, but it is most commonly used as a fertilizer. Nitrogen is important to plants as it allows them to produce fruit and flowers. Sodium nitrate fertilizers supply nitrogen quickly to the plant roots, preventing it from escaping. The nitrate also prevents soil erosion by retaining moisture in the soil. Unlike potassium nitrate, which can be toxic to plants, sodium nitrate is not likely to damage the roots of a plant. However, there are concerns that too much nitrogen applied to a plant can lead to stunted growth. Therefore, the amount of nitrogen used should be limited. Using organic agriculture techniques, a small amount of nitrogen-containing fertilizers is acceptable as the risk of adverse effects on plants is minimal.