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VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Response of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) to application of Polyhalite: A novel balanced slow releasing fertilizer
Authors
Harsha KN, Manoj Ommen, John Jo Varghese, Kavya S
Abstract
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is
an important spice crop cultivated for its aromatic underground rhizome. In
Karnataka, commercial cultivation is concentrated in southern districts like
Hassan, Mysore, Shivamogga, Chikkamagalore and Mandya. Western ghats area is
prominently cultivating ginger. Major challenge noticed in this area is high
intense rainfall during July & August month. This high rainfall not only
threat from the point of rot diseases but also has high nutrient leaching
losses also. Hence slow release fertilizer with all required plant nutrient
elements is need of the hour in this region for any crop. Polyhalite, a mineral
that contains potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sulfate, has received
increasing recognition in recent years as a valuable asset in sustainable
agriculture and can serve as a viable alternative to conventional fertilizers.
This multi-nutrient fertilizer, mainly obtained from evaporite deposits is
distinct combination of nutrients like 14% K2O, 19% S, and 6% MgO,
along with 17% CaO. Keeping these points in view, an observational trial was
conducted at Spices Boards’ regional research station - ICRI Sakleshpur,
Karnataka during 2024-25. The experiment was conducted under irrigated
condition. The soil of experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, pH 5.9
organic carbon content 1.3%, phosphorus 18 kg/ha, potassium 338 kg/ha.
The trail was laid out in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four
replications and five treatments. Ginger cultivar IISR
Vajra was used in the trial. T1: RDF (100:50:50 kg ha-1),T2: RDF + 3 foliar spray of IISR Ginger special ,T3:
RDF + Polyhalite @ 100kg /ha in single split – 60 DAP,T4: RDF +
Polyhalite @ 250kg /ha in two splits – 60 & 90 DAP and T5: RDF +
Polyhalite @ 500kg /ha in three splits – 60, 90 & 120 DAP. The
plot size of 3m x 1m was maintained. The spacing followed was 30 cm x 20 cm.
Application of polyhalite @ 500kg/ha and 250kg/ha to ginger at critical stages
of crop nutrient requirement has helped in attaining significantly higher number
of primary rhizomes (15.1 & 18.4), number of secondary rhizomes (33.1 &
38.2), fresh ginger yield per plant (308.6 & 328.4
kg/plant) and fresh rhizome yield per hectare (24.70
& 25.87 tonnes/ha) as compared to RDF and along with recommended
micronutrient spray. Application of polyhalite at 250kg/ha in two splits along
with RDF for ginger has helped to achieve higher net return (Rs 5,82,700) as
well as BC ratio (2.36). Even though application of polyhalite @ 500kg/ha has
recorded highest net return due to higher cost of production it has recorded
lower B C ratio.
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Pages:81-83
How to cite this article:
Harsha KN, Manoj Ommen, John Jo Varghese, Kavya S "Response of ginger (<i>Zingiber officinale</i> Roscoe) to application of Polyhalite: A novel balanced slow releasing fertilizer". International Journal of Agriculture and Plant Science, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 81-83
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