Preventing Sulphur Deficiency. What a difference Sulphur could make to your crops...

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1 Preventing Sulphur Deficiency Sulphur sufficient Sulphur deficient What a difference Sulphur could make to your crops... CF

2 Blue bags grow better crops... Manufactured in the UK and all Carbon Trust accredited, our Sulphur-rich granular product range will deliver all the nutrients required for growth and improved productivity. 7 CF

3 WARNING: SULPHUR DEFICIENCY CAN SERIOUSLY DAMAGE THE HEALTH OF YOUR CROPS Total deposition of Sulphur from the atmosphere has reduced by almost 90% in recent years! Sulphur is an essential component to ensure optimum yield and consistent quality of crops. In recent years, due to concerns over acid rain, there has been a tightening of regulations that has seen a dramatic drop in Sulphur from the atmosphere by a factor of seven. The youngest leaves are most affected by Sulphur deficiency. In oilseed rape for example, visible symptoms are yellowing of leaves and/or pale flowers. Sulphur deficiency can be a limiting factor effecting productivity on farms throughout the UK. 2

4 Crops most at risk As atmospheric deposition of Sulphur continues to decline, the reality is that a wide range of crops will be at risk, including: cereals, oilseed rape and grass. Oilseed rape and grass grown for silage are particularly sensitive to Sulphur deficiency. In a recent study it was found that nearly one third of farmers are still not applying Sulphur to oilseed rape and nearly half to wheat. Even where Sulphur is being applied it s often below recommended optimum rates. Soil types most at risk Lighter soils in areas of high rainfall with low atmospheric depositions are especially susceptible to Sulphur deficiency. Sulphate, the form of Sulphur taken by crops is soluble in water just like nitrate and is therefore easily leached. Deep silty or clay soils are less vulnerable but, in most cases, still require additional Sulphur to protect yield and quality. Sulphur deficiency risk by soil type Winter rainfall (November-February) Soil texture Low (<175mm) Medium (< mm) High (>375mm) Sandy High Loamy and course silty Low High Clay, fine silty or peaty Low Intermediate HGCA Information Sheet 28, Spring

5 How can farmers correct a deficiency? The need for Sulphur is indisputable. Applying the optimum amount of Sulphur fertilisers is dependent upon the crop and its deficiency status. For example, trials have shown the optimum rates of Sulphur for oilseed rape should be 112kg/ha SO /ha* 3 and for wheat 50kg SO /ha** 3. However, in some instances there is still a worrying gap between the actual rates applied and optimum rates required. Analytical tools Soil analysis isn t always a good predictor of available Sulphur because it is highly mobile in the soil. The Malate: Sulphur tissue analysis is often a better predictor of deficiency. It measures the ratio of Malate and Sulphate in the tissue providing an accurate diagnosis that can be completed early in the season to allow for timely application. Choose the right strategic approach to fully optimise yield To ensure that correct levels of Sulphur are applied, farmers have two approaches to choose from. Approach 1, DoubleTop is designed to be used in one application but if you have a large crop canopy, requiring less early Nitrogen then DoubleTop can be applied in two split dressings. The best time to apply Sulphur to oilseed rape is early spring (February/March) with the exact timing dictated by the size of the crop canopy. In most cases a single dose will suffice, however on certain crops a two split strategy is likely to improve the efficiency of nutrient uptake. Trials conducted by: *CF Fertilisers / ADAS ** CF Fertilisers / Armstrong Fisher 4

6 Oilseed Rape Oilseed rape has a large requirement for Sulphur, taking up 250kg SO 3/ha by July. CF Fertilisers Sulphur grades contain different amounts of Sulphur to provide timing flexibility. DoubleTop is designed to be used in spring applications. Approach 1 DoubleTop Approach 2 DoubleTop Timing kg SO3/ha Product kg/ha kg SO3/ha Product kg/ha Late Feb Stem extension Use fertiliser manual or CF Fertiliser N-Min and N-Calc service to determine total Nitram rate Wheat and Barley Winter barley responds to Sulphur in the same way as winter wheat and it is crucial if a malting sample is required. Adequate Sulphur allows the plant to use applied Nitrogen more efficiently and, by increasing the yield, dilutes the amount of grain Nitrogen in barley. Assuming correct rates of Nitrogen are applied, wheat should achieve its optimum yield and increased grain protein content when Sulphur is applied. Approach 1 DoubleTop Timing kg SO3/ha Product kg/ha GS Use fertiliser manual or CF Fertilisers N-Min and N-Calc service to determine total Nitram rate SingleTop can be used on cereals where a little and often strategy is prefered. 5

7 CF Fertilisers have the solution... With a range of market-leading Sulphur-rich products to maximise productivity At CF Fertilisers we like to make life easier for farmers, so we ve developed a range of market-leading Sulphur-rich products to do just that. DoubleTop and SingleTop are high quality granular compound products that deliver all the nutrients to your crops in an even and accurate spread. Whatever strategy you adopt to apply Sulphur, you can be sure that these products applied at the right rate, at the right time will optimise yield and productivity. 6

8 Applying the optimum rates of Sulphur can have a positive effect on yield by up to 100%! Yield response to applying Sulphur will vary dependent upon existing deficiency levels, soil type and crop. But typically, where a deficiency is evident, farmers can expect: l A 10% increase in winter cereals l Up to 50% increase in spring barley l In oilseed rape, which requires a higher level of Sulphur, up to 100% increase in yield has been measured on deficient sites Recent work undertaken on Sulphur in oilseed rape, funded by the HGCA and conducted by ADAS on behalf of a consortium of interested parties, measured yield increases of up to 5t/ha where Sulphur was applied. To protect yield and quality it is advised to annually apply a Sulphur containing fertiliser such as DoubleTop and SingleTop. 8

9 CF Fertilisers market leading products Key Facts DoubleTop SingleTop Heartland Sulphur Nitrogen (N%) Sulphur (SO 3 %) Application SPRING APPLICATION on oilseed rape and cereals. ALL SEASON APPLICATION little and often on cereals. ALL SEASON APPLICATION on cereals, also supplying spring P(8%) & K(8%) Spreading tip Ammonium Nitrate Form of Sulphur True Granular Compound Fertiliser products Conversion factors When applying any Sulphur based fertiliser, wipe the spreader vanes with a clean cloth and WD40 (or similar) after every two tonnes applied. Ammonium Nitrate is the most efficient and predictable form of Nitrogen for UK growers. The Sulphate form offers a readily available source of Sulphur to the growing crop. Elemental Sulphur cannot be taken up directly by crops and has to be converted to the Sulphate form before crop uptake. In all CF Fertilisers, Nitrogen and Sulphur products, each granule contains both elements to ensure even and accurate application across the crop. To convert elemental Sulphur declaration to Sulphate (SO 3 ), multiply by 2.5 For example: 100kg/ha of SO 3 = 40kg/ha elemental Sulphur. CF 9

10 Reassuringly British Need to know more about Sulphur nutrition? Talk to our Agronomists Their objective is to be your first choice for specialist help, advice and hands-on support. When it comes to crop nutrition you will not find a more knowledgeable team. Blue bags grow better crops For further help and advice, please contact us today on: or advice@cffertilisers.co.uk CF Fertilisers UK Limited, Ince, Chester, Cheshire CH2 4LB CF Fertilisers UK Limited 2016 CF Fertilisers UK Ltd assumes no liability for reliance on, or any errors or omissions in, the information provided in this document. For a precise farm specific recommendation please contact your FACTS Qualified Adviser. CF