Plant Nutrition
Sulphur Nutrient Info
Sulphur - Quick Facts
- Sulphur is essential for synthesis of sulphur-containing amino acids and is therefore vital for protein synthesis.
- Sulphur aids in seed production and producing the chlorophyll necessary for plants to carry out photosynthesis.
- Sulphur aids in increased nitrogen use efficiency.
- Sulphur is a component of vitamin B1 (particularly for cereals and legumes).
- Important for production of innate plant defence substances (phytoalexines, glutathione).
- Sulphur fertilization is increasingly common because higher yielding crops are taking up and removing more S from soil as harvested products.
- Form used by plants: SO4+2 (sulphate)
- Both solution- and adsorbed- sulphate are the forms available for plant use.
Sulphur - Role of Nutrient
- Improves root growth and seed production.
- Promotes nodule formation on legumes.
- Required for synthesis of amino acids and proteins.
- When used with Nitrogen, Sulphur leads to improved protein & milling quality.
- Sulphur helps with vigorous plant growth and resistance to cold.
Sulphur - Nutrient in Soil
- Coarse-textured soils that have low organic matter content, shallow soils or soils in which the topsoil has been removed by erosion will increase the risk of S deficiency.
Sulphur - Deficiency Symptons
- Yellow-green color, very similar in appearance to N deficiency
- Uniform chlorosis and yellowing on the younger leaves
- In canola, a cupping and/or reddish or purple colouration on the underside of the leaves
- Typical symptoms in oilseed rape are stunted growth, spoon-like arched leaves, pale yellow or white petals and pods can appear bladder-like and bloated.
Sulphur - Factors Affecting Deficiency
- Factors that will reduce S availability to the plant:
- Leaching of sulfate
- Amount and type of soil colloids (higher clay = less availability)
- Higher pH
- Lower organic matter in soils
- It is possible for sulphur to be temporarily fixed by microbial activity when they incorporate sulphur into fulvic acid and humic substances.
- Under anaerobic conditions, the sulphate-ion can be reduced by bacteria to hydrogen sulphide which is unavailable for plants.
- The risk of sulphur deficiency is high on lighter soils, especially after heavy rain, on soils with a poor structure and under any conditions which result in a restricted root system.
- Excess sulphate reduces molybdenum uptake.
Sulphur - Deficiency Photos
R3 Agronomic Platform
Roots – The vegetative stage looks to develop vigorous, healthy roots to maximize nutrient acquisition from the soil. The end result is a healthy root rhizosphere.
Reproduce – Supply the essential nutrients at reproduction to help the plant maximize pollen viability, flowering, pollination, seed set and fruit development.
Ripen – Late season nutrition is vital to optimize the nutrient density and quality of the crop.