Sulfur for Minnesota soils

*Daily mineralization rates of SO₄-S and total S content for representative surface soils (0-6 inches) of Minnesota incubated at 90°F.

The atmosphere

Most fuels that are burned for heat, power and transportation contain some sulfur. When fuels are burned, the S escapes as sulfur dioxide gas (SO₂). The SO₂ is absorbed in rainfall and reaches the soil as SO₄-S. The SO₂ content of the atmosphere is high near many industrialized cities, however, in the Twin Cities, the concentration of SO₂ in the air is quite low.

Pesticides

Some pesticides contain sulfur. However, their contribution to the total amount of S in the soil system is quite low.

Fertilizers

In the past, commercial fertilizers supplied considerable sulfur in addition to the usual nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Today, as the fertilizer products become more concentrated and the analysis increases, S contents are less.

Irrigation water

This can be an important source of S for limited areas in Minnesota. Sulfur is present in irrigation water as SO₄-S. The amount of SO₄-S can vary and can supply most of the needed S for a growing crop.

Removing sulfur from the soil system

Sulfur is removed from the soil system by two mechanisms.

Crop uptake and removal

The uptake of sulfur from the soil varies with the crop and the yield of that crop. In general, relatively small amounts of S are absorbed by crops.

For forage crops like alfalfa and corn silage, crop uptake equals removal.

• Alfalfa will remove approximately 5.4 lb. S per acre for each ton of hay produced.
• Corn harvested for silage can remove between 25 and 30 lb. S per acre.
• Corn harvested for grain (200 bu. per acre corn crop) will remove about 16 lb. S per acre.
• Wheat (80 bu per acre crop) will remove about 8 lb. S per acre in the grain.

In Minnesota, fertilizer recommendations for S are not adjusted for yield goals. Therefore, there is no real need to remember the exact amounts of S removed by the various crops.

Leaching

Like nitrate, SO₄-S is mobile in soils and can be moved out of the root zone by leaching. The SO₄-S does not leach as rapidly as nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N). But excessive rainfall or irrigation water can move SO₄-S below the root zone, especially on well or excessively drained (coarse textured) soils. Leaching of SO₄-S from the root zone of poorly drained (medium and fine-textured) soils in Minnesota is unlikely.

When S is deficient, plant growth is reduced and maturity is delayed. With inadequate supplies of S, protein formation is reduced and the foliage turns yellow. With alfalfa and red clover, the entire leaf area has a light green color. The leaves on S-deficient corn become light green with a distinct striping of the leaves.

Plant analysis can be used as a management tool for detecting shortages of S in crops.

Deficiency symptoms in crops

When sulfur is deficient, growth is reduced and maturity is delayed. With inadequate supplies of S, there is a reduction in protein formation with a subsequent yellowing of the foliage.

With alfalfa and red clover, the entire leaf area has a light green color. The leaves on S-deficient corn become light green. This is accompanied by a distinct striping of the leaves.

Plant analysis is also a management tool that can be used to detect shortages of S in crop production.

Soil testing procedures for several nutrients are used throughout the Midwest. In Minnesota, soil testing for sulfur is correlated and effective only for sandy soils with low soil organic matter concentrations in the soil surface.

Sulfur soil tests are not suggested for use on medium- and fine-textured soils in Minnesota. On medium- and fine-textured soils, alfalfa and corn yield responses to sulfur have been best related to the concentration of soil organic matter at the soil surface (0-6 inch depth). Spring weather, soil parent material and previous crop can affect S responsiveness in crops.

Recommendations and method of application

Annual applications are suggested where a response to sulfur is anticipated or predicted from the results of a soil test or tissue analysis.

• Minnesota research shows that an annual rate of 25 lb. S per acre is adequate for corn production on sandy soils. Sulfur can either be broadcast and incorporated before planting or applied in a starter fertilizer at planting. Use 25 lb. S per acre for broadcast applications. The rate can be reduced to 10-12 lb. per acre if S is applied in a starter fertilizer.
• Liquid fertilizer materials containing sulfur can be damaging to emerging crops and should not be applied directly on the seed.
• For medium and fine-textured soils, suggested broadcast application rates of S range from 10 to 15 lb. S per acre for both corn and alfalfa when soil organic matter concentration is less than 4%. Application rate should be increased up to 25 lbs of S per acre annually for intensively managed alfalfa.
• When organic matter concentration exceeds 4% and corn follows soybean, the probability of a yield response to sulfur fertilization is low. Research has shown a response is possible on glacial till soils, especially in cool springs on poorly drained soils. In these situations a low rate of ammonium thiosulfate (2-3.5 gal per acre, 6-10 lb. S) banded on the soil surface to the side of the seed row or 10 lbs of S broadcast may be warranted.
• When organic matter exceeds 4% and corn follows corn with large amounts of surface residue present, research has shown yield responses to S are also possible. In these instances a band of 6-10 lb. S per acre or a broadcast application of 10-15 lb. S per acre is suggested.
• Small grains may respond to S fertilization when grown on very sandy soils. For these soils, S can be broadcast at a rate of 20 lb. per acre and incorporated before planting or used at a rate of 10 lb. per acre in the row close to the seed.

Sulfur fertilizers

Several fertilizer materials can be used to supply S when it is needed in a fertilizer program. The choice of the S source is highly dependent on the crop to be grown.

For alfalfa, red clover and other forage legume production, all sources of S have had an equal effect on yield. Fertilizers that supply S in the sulfate form (SO₄) are preferred for corn and small grain production. Plants absorb S in the SO₄ form. Elemental S must be converted to SO₄-S before it is available to plants. This conversion takes time and is slowed by cool spring temperatures.