Potassium nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula KNO₃. It consists of potassium, nitrogen, and oxygen, and appears as a white crystalline solid. This compound is commonly used in fertilizers to provide essential nutrients for plant growth, as it supplies both potassium and nitrogen. In addition to its agricultural uses, potassium nitrate has applications in food preservation, as a curing agent for meats, and in the production of fireworks and explosives. It is also used in some types of batteries and as a heat transfer agent in certain industrial processes.