MinShakti - Frequently Asked Questions

Question: If MinShakti is made from lime or dolomite, how is it different than the lime/ dolomite
powder applied by the farmers
Answer
MinShakti is a granulated form of lime /Dolomite powder. While the chemical nature is same, the
change in the physical form makes it more effective in the following ways -
 Assured Quality
Quality of powdered lime/ dolomite is not assured whereas MinShakti is branded hence quality
is assured.
 High Reactivity
MinShakti is made using uniform and fine sized (150 mesh) lime / dolomite powder and hence is
highly reactive compared to dolomite/ lime powder which may not be of uniform size.
 Slow Release
MinShakti granules when applied to soil disintegrate slowly releasing calcium and magnesium
for longer duration thus ensuring optimum soil pH for longer duration.
 Mixing with fertilizers
MinShakti is granular and easy to handle hence can be mixed with NPK fertilizers thus saving
costs
 Lower losses
Dolomite/ lime powder is prone to wind loss and rain wash out compared to granular
MinShakti.
Hence MinShakti granules are efficient, convenient and cost effective compared to lime/ dolomite
powder.
MinShakti is a futuristic way of liming.
Along with the above, Team MinShakti can blend multiple liming materials (for higher Calcium and
better neutralizing ability) which will lead to enhanced impact than pure dolomite or lime. We will
be launching these products shortly

Question: What benefits can the planters expect due to application of MinShakti
Answer
MinShakti assures - slow release of calcium and magnesium & optimum pH for longer period -
hence better nutrient use efficiency.
The higher calcium in soil and plants ensures lesser fruit / nut/ berry drop, higher yield, better
disease resistance and better fruit quality.
These benefits are possible due to improved soil and plant health enabled by MinShakti
Question: How can MinShakti be applied along with fertilizers in the same operation?
Answer
MinShakti is made using fine (150 mesh) lime/ dolomite powder with organic binder resulting in
physically strong granules.

Hence the MinShakti granules break down slowly whereas fertilizer granules dissolve in soil
moisture within 48 - 72 hours. The mixing of fertilizers and MinShakti takes place at the time of soil
application hence there would hardly be any chemical reaction between MinShakti and NPK
fertilizers (supported by experimental evidence of LKAB Minerals (erstwhile Calcifert), United
Kingdom) which shows that lime / dolomite granules did not react chemically with NPK fertilizers
even when stored together as a mixture for several weeks)

Hundreds of farmers in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have applied MinShakti
along with NPK fertilizers over multiple rounds, with excellent results

Thus, MinShakti can be mixed with NPK fertilizers

Question: The purpose of lime/ dolomite is to increase the pH. Accordingly, we apply lime/
dolomite and wait for a while. Post that we apply fertilizers for best absorption of nutrients by
the soil/ plant. Application of MinShakti alongwith fertilizers defeats this purpose. Please
comment.
Answer
Lime/ dolomite is added once in a year/ once in two years or not at all applied. Much of the applied
lime/ Dolomite powder is lost due to wind or washed away by rain water. Thus, optimum soil pH is
not possible for longer duration. As a result, the NPK fertilizers are applied to soils with low pH
resulting in poor nutrient use efficiency, poor soil and plant health.

In comparison MinShakti is granular in form hence releases slowly and can be mixed with NPK
fertilizers in small quantities. When such a combination of nutrients (NPK Ca & Mg) is added to soil
regularly, the pH is maintained at optimum level for a longer duration hence there is better nutrient
use efficiency, better soil and plant growth leading to good yield and profits.

However, in case the pH is too low, we recommend that in the 1 st round, MinShakti be applied
separately and then fertilizers be applied after, say 25 days. In subsequent rounds, both MinShakti
& fertilizers can be applied together.
Question: But MinShakti is costly!
Answer
MinShakti is made using very fine lime/ Dolomite powder (150 mesh size) it is granular in form with
high reactivity and is a slow-release source of calcium and magnesium thus maintaining optimum
soil pH for longer duration.

MinShakti is regularly applied at least twice a year in small quantities along with NPK fertilizers.

Thus, quantity of MinShakti used is less and there is no cost of application as it is mixed with
fertilizers. Hence NET cost for planters is less.

Even if MinShakti is applied in multiple rounds, the NET cost of Minshakti would be less with
multiple benifits of optimum pH for longer duration, higher nutrient use efficiency, good soil and
plant health and higher profits.

Hence, MinShakti is good value for money.

Question: But lime is supposed to be broadcast and the estate has to be carpeted with powder.
Isn’t MinShakti negating that concept?
Answer

Nutrients are best absorbed by feeder roots of plants at optimum soil pH.

MinShakti application in small and regular doses to the plant basin results in optimum pH thus
enhancing nutrient use efficiency by the feeder roots.

Carpeting of the estate with lime can be done once in two years. So that the pH of the estate is
maintained.

This combination of regular and small doses of MinShakti in the feeding zone and carpeting of
estate with lime/ dolomite powder is best for planters to maintain optimum pH, better nutrient use
efficiency, soil and plant health.

For any additional discussion, please feel free to contact Akhilesh Shukla, Head Sales &
Marketing, MinShakti @ 9845848877