Elemental Sulphur v Ammonium Sulphur!

[Dexta]

Is this now correct that you can apply elemental sulphur in the autumn which is slower to release but will be ready available for the plant in the spring and there is no need for water soluble sulphur?

 

[yellow belly]

I have not seen a definitive answer any where all the work is done on sulphate in the spring

 

[Dexta]

I have not seen a definitive answer any where all the work is done on sulphate in the spring

The last time any significant work on Sulphur was done was in the early nineties at Rothamsted!
When sulphur was ready available in soils anyhow!

 

[Gong Farmer]

Ahem. We (and many others) have been doing sulphur work since the early 90s. Never saw those pellet things last long enough to be available in the spring (though that was on rape at sowing so applied in August)

 

[colhonk]

Put them on in November / December with a slug pelleter on bike.

 

[average farmer]

Ahem. We (and many others) have been doing sulphur work since the early 90s. Never saw those pellet things last long enough to be available in the spring (though that was on rape at sowing so applied in August)

pleased you posted that, was thinking of mixing a few with some DAP and putting it down the spout under the osr but don't think I'll bother now

. Anyone any idea of a rough price of these pellets used tigar 90 and others in the past but can't remember the price?

 

[Clive]

Is this now correct that you can apply elemental sulphur in the autumn which is slower to release but will be ready available for the plant in the spring and there is no need for water soluble sulphur?

elemental S is S not So4 - it takes time for S to become So4 which is the plant available form IIRC

 

[Gong Farmer]

Correct, and with S applied in autumn you have no idea when that conversion will be complete - too early and the SO4 can leach, too late and the plant misses out. Plant must have adequate sulphur when it starts flowering process (green bud e.g.), better to apply a plant-available form close to when it will be needed, IMO.
Elemental S might be more successful with other crops that don't have such a high sulphur demand.

 

[Iben]

Correct, and with S applied in autumn you have no idea when that conversion will be complete - too early and the SO4 can leach, too late and the plant misses out. Plant must have adequate sulphur when it starts flowering process (green bud e.g.), better to apply a plant-available form close to when it will be needed, IMO.
Elemental S might be more successful with other crops that don't have such a high sulphur demand.

Any idea if there is any difference in the acidifying affect between elemental sulphur and ammonium sulphate?

 

[Dexta]

elemental S is S not So4 - it takes time for S to become So4 which is the plant available form IIRC

If it was applied each year would it build up reserves so that so4 was adequate or would it leach and wouldn't be ready available for the plant when needed in the spring.? Spoke to one guy recently and they have done this for 6years with no other sulphur application applied.
Testing carried out for three years each spring and adequate levels found.

 

[Clive]

If it was applied each year would it build up reserves so that so4 was adequate or would it leach and wouldn't be ready available for the plant when needed in the spring.? Spoke to one guy recently and they have done this for 6years with no other sulphur application applied.
Testing carried out for three years each spring and adequate levels found.

no - Sulphur is the most easy leached elements of them all I believe, you won't build S reserves very easy

 

[Steel]

In our area there used to be lots of pastures which were spread with single super every year which boosted out S levels for cropping. Later gypsum was used to boost S levels in trials and yield increases were produced, but those results were likely because of improved soil not sulphur. Recently with much more cropping and less pasture we are seeing symptoms of S deficiency. I am using some Sulphate of Amonia now but am unsure if I am getting yields responses from the Sulphur.