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Sulphur Fertilizer Application
in Crop Production |
Introduction:
Sulphur (S) is an essential plant nutrient
for all crop production. This situation is especially true
for canola, which has a higher requirement for S than other
annual crops such as wheat (Table 1).
Sulphur is essential for protein synthesis
and the formation of chlorophyll. Sulphur is required in the
development of fertile canola flowers and must be present
for good nodule development on alfalfa roots. |
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| Sulphur
deficiency in alfalfa: deficient plant on left
is short in stature with yellowing most severe on young
leaves. |
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Table
1. Nutrients removed by average yields of canola,
wheat and alfalfa in Alberta |
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Crop |
Yield |
Crop
Part |
Nutrients
Removed (lbs/acre) |
N |
P |
K |
S |
Canola |
35
bu/ac |
Seed/straw |
105 |
22 |
69 |
21 |
Wheat |
50
bu/ac |
Straw/straw |
106 |
17 |
67 |
13 |
Alfalfa |
5tons/ac |
Total |
290 |
32 |
250 |
20 |
Adapted
from Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development,
Soil and Crop Diagnostic Centre Laboratory Yield
Increase tables (N = nitrogen, P = phosphorus,
K = potassium, S = sulphur) |
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| Fall
applied Tiger 90 (left) vs spring banded 20-0-0-24
(right). |
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In Alberta, 7 million
acres are considered S deficient for optimum canola
production, and the acreage is increasing. Plants use
S in the sulphate (SO4-S) form, which like nitrate (NO3-N),
is very mobile in the soil and leachable. Soil organic
matter is the primary source of plant available SO4-S.
Soils that are sandy, low in organic matter and found
in upper to mid-slope positions are especially prone
to S deficiency since the small amount of SO4-S released
from organic matter is susceptible to leaching loss.
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In Alberta, 7 million
acres are considered S deficient for optimum canola
production, and the acreage is increasing. Plants use
S in the sulphate (SO4-S) form, which like nitrate (NO3-N),
is very mobile in the soil and leachable. Soil organic
matter is the primary source of plant available SO4-S.
Soils that are sandy, low in organic matter and found
in upper to mid-slope positions are especially prone
to S deficiency since the small amount of SO4-S released
from organic matter is susceptible to leaching loss.
Soils most prone to S deficiency are
the Grey Wooded, Thin Black and Black soils (Figure
1) because they were formed in areas of relatively high
rainfall (>leaching) and have greater yield potential
(high S demand). Brown and Dark Brown soils are usually
not considered S deficient because they often have gypsum
(CaSO4) laden subsoils. However, within all soil zones,
various combinations of high rainfall, high yield potential,
low organic matter, topography and coarse texture predispose
fields to S deficiency... |
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Sulphur
Plasma - Application |
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Continuous
Full Spectrum Light (CFSL)
Circadian Rhythms -Natures
Time Keeper |
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Light
Pipe
Large and small light
pipes and light distribution tubes that can be illuminated
by Sulphur. |
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Horticulture
Growth Under Metal Halide
and Microwave Powered Sulphur Lamps |
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Aquaculture
Reversing the spread
of hunger is one of humanity’s paramount challenges.
It will mean overcoming the fatalistic belief that chronic,
persistent hunger is inevitable. |
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Photography
& Projection
Excellent colour rendering,
high lumen levels and continuous operation with no degradation
in quality. |
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Commercial
Demonstration and Assessment
of a Sulphur Lamp Retrofit Lighting System at Hill Air
Force Base, Utah |
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Gallery
Sulphur Plasma Lighting
Installations
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Horticulture
Sulphur Fertilizer
Application in Crop Production
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