Evaluation of Polyhalite As a Multi-Nutritional Fertilizer for Corn.

Polyhalite has potential to be a multi-nutrient fertilizer for maize production. However, little information is available for the response of maize to polyhalite. Two experiments were conducted for two consecutive seasons to compare effects of polyhalite (POLY), to muriate of potash (MOP), sulfate of potash (SOP) and sulfate of potash magnesia (SOPM), on maize grown in a sandy soil in greenhouse and in open field. Treatments were arranged in a complete randomized design for both studies with three replicates for the greenhouse and four for the open field. Fertilizers were applied at the rates of 50, 100, 200, and 300 K₂O Kg ha^-1, for the greenhouse and 50, 100, 150, and 250 K₂O Kg ha^-1 for the open field.  Grain yields, elemental concentration in leaves and in grains at 30 and 100 days respectively after planting were analyzed for both studies, and soil analysis before planting and after harvest.