Fertilizing Indian Rice Plots with Potash

Results from Hundreds of Locations Across the States of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal

Agriculture forms the backbone of India’s economy; however, declining soil fertility is directly impacting crop productivity. The appropriate application of fertilizer is a key factor in enhancing soil fertility and productivity and for overcoming potassium (K) depletion, which has been shown to have clear negative effects on India’s rice production.

In order to evaluate the response of rice to muriate of potash (MOP), and to demonstrate to farmers the increased yield and profitability obtained when fertilizing rice plots with MOP, a large-scale trial project was launched in 2013: Potash for Life (PFL). The methodology was straight forward – two identical rice plots side by side, with the only difference being that one of them was fertilized with additional MOP. The results were very clear: virtually every trial showed a yield increase in response to the MOP addition, and the average yield increase was significant, ranging between approximately 6 and 15%.

It was concluded that the soil status of plant available K is significantly lower than plant demand in the six project states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. This means that MOP fertilization is necessary in these states in order to improve agricultural practices and optimize yields. At this stage of research, we recommend that local MOP application standards should follow those performed in this trial. However, further trials and research are necessary to fine tune high-precision recommendations at a location-specific level.

Published in e-ifc 55 from the International Potash Institute