Boosting Brassicas with Polysulphate

It is widely understood that sulfur is an important plant macronutrient. Sulfur is associated with high yield and good quality, particularly in brassicas. It is also one of the main nutrients in Polysulphate, our fertilizer made from polyhalite, the natural mineral consisting of hydrated sulfate of potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg).

Polysulphate Pushes Production Up

Researchers in India set out to test the bio efficacy of Polysulphate on the performance of two major Brassica oleracea crops: cauliflower and cabbage. G.C. Satisha and A.N. Ganeshamurthy, Principal Scientists with ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research published their findings on Polysulphate, and it is good news for Brassica growers.

Brassicas, such as cauliflower and cabbage, are big in the Indian diet and important cash crops to many Indian farmers. The research found that sulfur application gave rise to significantly increased yield and quality of the two crops. According to the Indian research results, “the highest yields of cabbage and cauliflower, 32.8 and 39.5% more than the control, respectively, were obtained with 100% and 75% of the recommended N-P-K and S doses, respectively, delivered through Polysulphate.”

Understanding Interconnected Plant Nutrition

Whilst it is useful to focus on one plant nutrient, such as sulfur, it is also important to recognize the important and productive inter-relationship between all the nutrients present in Polysulphate.

This is something the Indian research report reveals. The potassium contained in Polysulphate fertilizer enhanced sulfur uptake, while in turn, the sulfur appeared to promote phosphorus and calcium uptake.

With our Polysulphate, the activity – or bio efficacy as the researchers refer to it – of this remarkable, naturally occurring, mined mineral fertilizer is more than the sum of its parts. And is why, again and again, it proves to be such a powerful tool producing remarkable results whether that be for Brassicas or other crops.

The difference Polysulphate fertilizer makes to cabbage yield is clear to see.

Read the full paper Bioefficacy of Polyhalite Application on Yield and Quality of Cabbage and Cauliflower published in the e-ifc by the International Potash Institute.