Sulfur Application to Corn and Soybean Crops in IowaIowa State University Sulfur Application to Corn...

Iowa State University

Sulfur Application to Corn and Soybean Crops in Iowa

John E. SawyerDaniel W. Barker

Department of AgronomyIowa State University



Sulfur (S)

Movement in PlantNon-mobile

FunctionsProteins, chlorophyll and photosynthesis

Deficiency SymptomsGeneral yellowing, chlorosis stripping of foliageYellowing of younger leavesPlant stunting and spindly plants with severe deficiency

Plant Available Form: Sulfate (SO4-2)


Slide from G. Rehm, Univ. MN


Plant Nutrients in Harvested Crops

Crop N P2O5 K2O Ca Mg S

Corn Grain, 150 bu 135 54 39 1.5 7.5 10.5

Soybean Grain, 50 bu 178 41 50 9 9 5

Alfalfa Hay, 5 ton 250 55 225 140 25 25

(lb per unit of indicated yield)

Adapted from Modern Corn and Soybean Production, 2000


Sulfur Deficiencies

Soil Situations and Climatic Conditions Aggravating Deficiency Symptoms

Coarse textured soils (sandy soils)Low organic matter soilsEroded soilsLow profile sulfateCold

• Slow release of S from organic matterLow atmospheric depositionNo application from

• Manure• Other fertilizers

Iowa State University10 kg SO4/ha = 3.3 lb S/acre


Concentration of Secondary Plant Nutrients in Animal Manures

Element Poultry Layer Swine Slurrylb/ton lb/1,000 gal

Calcium 179 7.8Magnesium 5.7 2.7Sulfur 8.8 2.3


Annual Sulfur Fertilizer Distribution In Iowa

0

10

20

30

40

1973 1977 1981 1985 1989 1993 1997 2001Year

Dis

tribu

tion

(1,0

00 to

n S)

SulfurGypsumAm. SulfateAm. ThiosulfateTotal

Data Source: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Fertilizer Distribution Report


Year Control KCl KMgSO4

1967 146 160 1611968 148 161 1601969 144 139 1441970 108 130 1241971 147 157 1601972 129 150 1521973 115 129 1291974 120 133 130

8-yr avg. 132 145 145

J. Webb, 1978.

bu/acre

Effect of broadcast potash and sulpomag on corn yield, Webster soil.

Fertilizers applied at 160 lb K/acre annuallySul-po-mag supplied 199 lb S/acre annually


Location Control ES ATS ES ATS

CornCastana 113 110 113 112 112Kanawha 168 164 166 163 163Doon 126 126 125 126 125Nashua 177 175 175 175 174Sutherland 145 143 145 143 142

Mean 148 146 147 146 143

SoybeanCastana 26.5 26.7 27.1 26.1 26.1Kanawha 40.9 38.9 40.8 40.0 39.8Doon 44.5 43.7 43.7 42.9 43.9Nashua 45.1 44.1 45.2 44.9 45.5Sutherland 40.7 41.9 41.1 40.4 40.4

Mean 40.0 39.4 39.9 39.2 39.4

60 lb S/acre

Research by J. Webb, summarized by Pierce et al., 1997.ES = Elemental S, ATS = Ammonium Thiosulfate. Broadcast applied.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - bu/acre - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Corn and soybean response to S rate and source, 1977 to 1990.30 lb S/acre


Treatment Corn Yieldbu/acre

Control 148+ S 146

*

Corn yield response to S application, 28 site-years across Iowa.

StatisticsAverage of all sites, S applied at 30 and 60 lb S/acre as elemental S and ammonium thiosulfate.Research by J. Webb, summarized by Pierce et al., 1997.


Corn Grain Yieldlb S/acre Ton lime/acre bu/acre

0 0 62.80 2 62.5

24 0 68.424 2 71.6

4.6

Treatments

LSD (0.05)

Corn yield response to sulfur application, 1974.

From Thorup and Leitch, 1975. Site near Fort Madison, IA. Sulfur fertilizer source was ammonium sulfate.


5-yearMaterial S Rate 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 mean

lb S/acreSulpomag 60 140 153 133 144 122 138KCl + S 60 140 159 130 135 127 138Elemental S 60 137 158 129 140 125 138KCl 0 133 154 125 133 132 135

* NS NS NS NS NS

* Significant response to S (P ≤ 0.05).

† Potassium was applied at an equal rate of 60 lb K2O per acre to all treatments. The treatmetns were applied each year before corn, and the study area was alternated back-and-forth each year with soybean. Soil test S (surface 6-inch layer) was 5 to 8 pm in the non-S treated plots and 30 to 46 ppm in the S treated plots after the 1999 season.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - bu/acre - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Treatment†

Statistics

Corn yield response to S fertilization on a Moody soil at the Northwest Research Farm, Sutherland, IA.

From Mallarino et al. (2000).


Corn and Soybean Sulfur Study 2000-2001

Two Sulfur Sources Broadcast Applied Spring 2000

Calcium Sulfate - Gypsum (CaSO4)Elemental S (S)

Four S Rates0, 10, 20, 40 lb S/acre

Soil sulfate-S measured to 3 feetSix Iowa Locations

Ames, Atlantic, Crawfordsville, Doon, Kanawha, Castana



General Soil OrganicSite Location Soil Name Matter Tillage System

%Ames Central Clarion; Nicollet 4.0 Chisel/Disk/F.C.Atlantic Southwest Marshall 3.7 No-TillCrawfordsville Southeast Taintor; Mahaska 5.0 Chisel/Disk/F.C.Doon Northwest Moody 4.1 Chisel/Disk/F.C.Kanawha North Central Canisteo; Nicollet 6.7 Chisel/Disk/F.C.Castana Western Monona 3.3 No-Till

Site characteristics

Sawyer and Barker, Iowa State University



S Rate CaS S CaS S CaS Slb S/acre

0 0.18 0.18 60 60 162 15910 0.19 0.18 60 60 158 16020 0.19 0.18 60 60 158 15940 0.20 0.20 60 60 158 159

% bu/acre

* NS NS

Ear Leaf S Leaf SPAD YieldCorn - Average Across All Sites, 2000

Calcium Sulfate; Elemental Sulfur; App. spring 2000Sawyer and Barker, Iowa State University




0 0.26 0.27 50.0 50.1 35.5 35.710 0.27 0.26 49.3 49.6 35.6 35.420 0.28 0.28 48.9 49.7 35.5 35.640 0.29 0.27 49.0 49.6 35.4 35.5

Soybean - Average Across All Sites, 2000


%

Grain Protein

NS

Yield

*

bu/acre %

NS

Leaf S



SampleDepth Corn Soybean Corn Soybean Corn Soybeaninches

20000-6 9 5 8 11 6 76-12 6 6 11 5 2 412-24 9 5 7 7 2 524-36 13 11 7 10 3 2

20010-6 10 10 8 12 3 86-12 5 9 1 4 6 3

Soil samples collected spring 2000 and 2001, no S appliedSawyer and Barker, Iowa State University

Extractable Soil Sulfate-S concentrationAmes Atlantic Crawfordsville

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ppm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



SampleDepth Corn Soybean Corn Soybean Corn Soybeaninches

20000-6 2 4 7 7 4 --6-12 2 4 4 7 5 --12-24 8 7 10 15 2 --24-36 -- -- 9 10 4 --

20010-6 2 3 8 6 -- 66-12 2 3 12 7 -- 6

Extractable Soil Sulfate-S concentration

Soil samples collected spring 2000 and 2001, no S appliedSawyer and Barker, Iowa State University

Doon

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ppm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kanawha Castana




0 0.15 0.15 62 62 147 14610 0.16 0.15 62 62 143 14720 0.17 0.17 61 62 147 14940 0.17 0.17 62 61 149 144

% bu/acre


* NS NS

Ear Leaf S Leaf SPAD YieldCorn - Average Across All Sites, 2001




0 0.25 0.25 48.0 47.8 35.4 35.310 0.25 0.25 48.1 47.6 35.3 35.320 0.24 0.25 47.0 48.5 35.2 35.540 0.24 0.26 46.6 46.9 35.1 35.2

% bu/acre %

Yield Grain Protein

NS NS NS

Leaf S


Soybean - Average Across All Sites, 2001


Ames, 2001





0 0.13 0.14 62 62 159 15910 0.12 0.14 63 62 154 15620 0.16 0.15 64 62 158 16440 0.16 0.15 63 61 155 153

bu/acre

* NS NSCalcium Sulfate; Elemental Sulfur; App. spring 2000Iowa State University

Corn - Ames 2001 SiteLeaf S Leaf SPAD Yield

%


Corn Response to Sulfur, Southwest IA, 2000

S Rate Cass Co. Adams Co.

12 170 196

Soil S, ppm 7 8

Elemental S broadcast & incorporated, spring 2000.Olsen and McGrath, 2000

lb S/acre - - - bu/acre - - -

0 170 194

FLSD (0.10) NS NS


Soybean Response to Sulfur, Southwest IA, 2000

S Rate Cass Co. Adams Co.

12 50.9 50.2

Soil S, ppm 5 4

Elemental S broadcast & incorporated, spring 2000.Olsen and McGrath, 2000


0 50.4 49.9

FLSD (0.10) NS NS


Corn Response to Sulfur, Southwest IA, 2002

S Rate Harrison Co. Adair Co.

12 163 141

Soil S, ppm 6 9-18

Elemental S (12 lb S/acre) broadcast & incorporated, spring 2002.McGrath, 2002


0 161 142

FLSD (0.10) NS NS


Summary

Past 30+ years research across IowaTwo site-years with yield increaseOne study with multi-year average yield decrease

Recent research across IowaNo yield response to S application


Gypsum Application

Calcium SulfateCaSO4 • 2H2O

• 16% S• 22% Ca


Gypsum Used to Aid in Reclamation of Saline-Sodic and Sodic Soils

Saline-Sodic SoilsNot dispersed soil structureConductivity > 4 mmhos/cm> 15% exchangeable sodiumpH < 8.5

Sodic soilsDispersed soil structureConductivity < 4 mmhos/cm> 15% exchangeable sodiumpH > 8.5


Why Apply Gypsum to Iowa Soils?

Soil Structure (soil aggregation) is influenced by:

Organic matterMultivalent positively charged cations

• Ca+2, Mg+2, Al+3

Monovalent charged cations• Notably Na+

ClayWeatheringTraffic / Compaction



Soil Structure (soil aggregation) is influenced by:

Soil ColloidsClay & Humus

-

--

--

--

--

-

-

K+

Ca++H+ Zn++

H+

K+ Mg++Ca++ ---

Mg++H+

Mg++

NH4+Al+++--

H+

-Mg++ Mg++

Ca++

H+K+

K+

Ca++

H+Ca++Ca++

Ca++

-

-

- - - - - -- - - - - --

-- - - - ---- - - -- Na+

-- -

-

Ca++

K+

Ca++



Iowa Soils have:High organic matterHigh (adequate) calcium and magnesium contentLow sodiumCa:Mg ratios within a range that will not influence plant growthCalcareous soils have soil exchange complex saturated with calcium/magnesium and have free lime and sometimes free gypsum


Exchangeable Cations of SeveralIowa Surface Soils

Soil Type

pH

CEC

Ca

Mg

K

- - - - - meq/100g - - - - - Kenyon 5.9 14.0 8.5 2.6 0.2

Readlyn 6.3 19.5 14.5 4.2 0.2 Klinger 5.8 26.2 20.0 5.2 0.2 Dinsdale 5.9 20.5 14.6 4.2 0.4 Tama 5.7 20.6 13.9 3.4 0.5 Muscatine 6.1 28.3 20.4 7.1 0.4



Soil Type

pH

CEC

Ca

Mg

K

meq/100g lb exchangeable/acre Kenyon 5.9 14.0 3400 624 156

Readlyn 6.3 19.5 5800 1008 156 Klinger 5.8 26.2 8000 1248 156 Dinsdale 5.9 20.5 5840 1008 312 Tama 5.7 20.6 5560 816 390 Muscatine 6.1 28.3 8160 1704 312


Base Saturation

DefinitionPercentage of total Cation Exchange Complex (CEC) occupied by basic cations

• Ca+2; Mg+2; K+; NH4+; Zn+2, etc.

Soil ColloidsClay & Humus

-

--

--

--

--

-

-

Ca++

K+

Ca++H+ Zn++

H+

K+ Mg++Ca++ ---

Mg++H+

Mg++

NH4+Al+++--

H+

-Mg++

Mg++Ca++

H+K+

K+

Ca++

H+Ca++Ca++

Ca++

-

-

- - - - - -- - - - - --

-- - - - ---- - - -- Na+

-- -

-


Relationship Between Soil pH and Base Saturation

0 25 50 75 1004.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

Percent Base Saturation

Soil

pH


Relationship Between Soil Ca:Mg Ratio and Yield

Ca:Mg ratio range where greenhouse and field research has shown yield is optimal

0.5 Ca : 1 Mg to 50 Ca : 1 Mg

(2 times more Mg to 50 times more Ca)(on a meq basis)



Soil Type

pH

CEC

Ca

Mg

K

Ca:Mg Ratio

- - - - - meq/100g - - - - - Primghar 5.8 32.7 22.4 7.4 0.5 3.0

Sac 6.0 29.8 20.6 5.5 0.6 3.7 Kenyon 5.9 14.0 8.5 2.6 0.2 3.3 Dinsdale 5.9 20.5 14.6 4.2 0.4 3.5 Muscatine 6.1 28.3 20.4 7.1 0.4 2.9 Napier 6.6 27.6 23.5 3.2 0.6 7.3


Ca:Mg RatioCrops Grown In Greenhouse

Ca:Mg Ratio Soybean Corn

Yield, g 50:1 5.8 9.2 5:1 6.0 9.4 1:1 6.1 8.6

0.2:1 4.8 5.4 0.02:1 1.6 1.2

Key, 1960. Greenhouse – Sand Resin Culture


Effect of Varying the Ca:Mg Ratios on Yield of Alfalfa

Ca:Mg Ratio Saturation Yield

Silt loam soil % Ca % Mg ton/acre2.28 34 35 3.313.40 45 22 3.314.06 46 19 3.404.76 49 17 3.405.25 52 16 3.508.44 62 12 3.22

Soil pH 6.8. Ratio varied by addition of CaSO4 and MgSO4.


Ranges in Soil Basic Cation Ratios for Five Highest and Lowest Yields

Ranges in Basic Cation Ratios

Ratio Yield Level Corn (75) Corn (75) Soybean (77) Soybean (78)

Ca:Mg Highest Five 5.7 - 26.8 5.7 - 14.3 5.7 - 14.0 5.7 - 26.8

Ca:Mg Lowest Five 5.8 - 21.5 5.0 - 16.1 2.3 - 16.1 6.8 - 21.5

McLean et al., 1983; Ohio State Univ.


Ca and Mg Crop Uptake

Amount of uptake is selected by roots, not soil ratioWith water use by crops (transpiration)

Amount of Ca and Mg supplied to root surface is greater than the amount taken up by crops

• 250 to 400 lb Ca and 100 to 160 lb Mg moves to root surface

• 150 bu/acre corn uptake of 26 to 40 lb Ca/acre and 15 to 30 lb Mg/acre


Dolomitic vs. Calcitic Limestone

Dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2]21.7% Ca and 13.1% Mg

Classification of calcitic vs. dolomitic lime is not clear – Pettyjohn (1957) proposed:

Dolomite: 11.7 – 13.1 % MgDolomitic limestone: 1.3 – 6.5% MgMg limestone: 0.6 – 1.3 % MgHigh Ca limestone: 0 – 0.6% Mg


Limestone Application

Per Ton “Dolomite” Limestone Product434 lb Ca262 lb Mg

Dolomitic Limestone> 434 lb Ca26 - 130 lb Mg


Gypsum Application to Iowa Soils

S Rate Product Calcium CaS S CaS Slb S/acre lb/acre lb Ca/acre

0 0 0 162 159 50.0 50.110 62.5 14 158 160 49.3 49.620 125 28 158 159 48.9 49.740 250 56 158 159 49.0 49.6

Gypsum Application

NS

Corn and Soybean Yield - Average Across Six Sites in Iowa, 2000Corn Soybean

CaS = Calcium Sulfate; S = Elemental Sulfur. Applied Spring 2000.Sawyer and Barker, Iowa State University

- - - - - - - - bu/acre - - - - - - - -

Significance (0.05) NS


Gypsum Application to Iowa Soils

S Rate Product Calcium CaS S CaS Slb S/acre lb/acre lb Ca/acre

0 0 0 147 146 48.0 47.810 62.5 14 143 147 48.1 47.620 125 28 147 149 47.0 48.540 250 56 149 144 46.6 46.9

Gypsum Application

Sawyer and Barker, Iowa State University

Significance (0.05) NS NSCaS = Calcium Sulfate; S = Elemental Sulfur. Applied Spring 2000.

- - - - - - - - bu/acre - - - - - - - -

Corn and Soybean Yield - Average Across Six Sites in Iowa, 2001Corn Soybean


Gypsum Application to Iowa SoilsEffect of Sulfur & Calcium on Kenwood 94 Soybean at Western Research Farm, 1996

S Rate Gypsum Ca Applied Yieldlb S/acre lb/acre lb Ca/acre

013265278

bu/acre0 0 6210 59 5820 118 5840 236 6160 354 56

Sign (0.05) NSGypsum preplant broadcast and incorporated.Soil S = 3 ppm. Shibles et al., ISRF96-10,1996.


Corn Yield Response to Sulfur & Magnesium Fertilization, Northwest Research Farm, 1995 – 1999Treatment S K2O MgO 5-year Mean

lb/acre bu/acreSulpomag 60 60 30 138

KCl + S 60 60 -- 138

Elemental S 60 -- -- 138

KCl -- 60 -- 135

FLSD(0.05) NSA.P. Mallarino et al., 1999 ISRF99-29.31.Fertilizers spring incorporated each year before corn.1999 0-6 inch SO4-S: 5-8 ppm with K only; 30-46 ppm average with applied S.

Iowa State UniversitySul-po-mag supplied 98 lb Mg/acre annually

Year Control KCl KMgSO4

1967 146 160 1611968 148 161 1601969 144 139 1441970 108 130 1241971 147 157 1601972 129 150 1521973 115 129 1291974 120 133 130

8-yr avg. 132 145 145

J. Webb, 1978.

- - - - - - bu/acre - - - - - -

Effect of Broadcast Potash and Sulpomag on Corn Yield, Webster Soil

Fertilizers applied at 160 lb K/acre annuallySul-po-mag supplied 199 lb S/acre annually


Managing Ca and Mg

Critical soil test level (sufficiency)Ca and Mg managed by limestone application from local quarry to acidic soilsNeither generally deficiency in Iowa soils

May be Mg – K – NH4 grass tetany concern in some soils

No Ca or Mg soil test interpretation for Iowa soils


NCR Publication 533Soil Cation Ratios for Crop Production

County Extension Offices

ISU Extension Distribution [email protected]


Sulfur Application to Corn and Soybean Crops in IowaIowa State University Sulfur Application to Corn...

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