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Plant Nutrient Interactions in Soil Environment

Far West Agribusiness Association Washington Crop Production Conf. Dec. 14, 2011
Wesley Haun Agronomist Sales & Research

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Sulfur

Secondary nutrient essential for plant growth. In some crops there can be similar amounts of S as phosphorus (P). Critical in plant metabolic functions.

Component of some amino acids, vitamins, and enzymes. Photosynthesis and seed formation.

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Sulfur Deficiency

Sulfur (S) continues to present challenges as to plant available soil SO42- and consistently correlate soil additions to predictable yield response.

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Soil Sulfur Deficiencies

In U.S.
Sulfur deficiencies tend to be most prevalent in Great Plains, Northeast, California, and Southeast.

In Canada:
Western areas

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Sulfur
Sulfur is critical in conversion of nitrate

(NO3) S deficiency N deficiency N-S interaction & deficiency symptoms Similar in early growth stages Significantly different in later growth stages
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Factors Influencing Soil Sulfur Availability


Low Organic Matter (OM) Course textured soils (sandy) Well drained soils Low soil pH

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Factors Influencing Soil Sulfur Availability


SO42- adsorption to soil colloids decrease as soil pH increases. SO42- reacts w/OH ions of Fe & Al. Liming soils decrease SO42- adsorbed & increase amount of SO42- in soil solution.

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Sulfur & Alkaline Soils


Availability of S in alkaline soils is

function of amount of sulfate salts present (CaSO4) and OM in root zone. Primary sources of S in alkaline soils are inorganic compounds. Kaolinite clays retain more SO4 than Montmorilloite clays.
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Natural Sources SO4


Organic Matter (OM) Atmospheric Sulfur Soil Minerals

2-

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Atmospheric Deposition
Significant amounts of S to growing

crop & soil Sources: Burning of gas, coal, oil, and anaerobic decomposition of OM
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Atmospheric Deposition
S enters the atmosphere as:

SO2 H2S H2SO4 others

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Nitrogen Mineralization and Nitrification


Mineralization
Soil Organic Matter Manure Rotting Plant Residues

Nitrification

+
Oxygen
NH3 Ammonia

NO2Nitrite NO3Nitrate NH4+ Ammonium


Nitrosomonas

Bacteria Nitrobacter

Sulfur Cycle
H2S
Anaerobic Conditions

FeS
Beggiatoa, Thiothrix

Soil Organic S

Elemental S Sulfate
Leaching Aerobic Conditions

Thiobacillus, Beggiatoa,

Thiothrix

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Sulfur Mineralization
Organic S
(OM) Bacteria

Decay Products
(H2S, other organic sulfides)

Bacteria

Sulfates
(SO4 )

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Sulfur Mineralization

Similar to Nitrogen (N) Mineralization process. Driven by correct


Temperature Moisture Oxygen Microbial activity S Particle size

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Sulfur Oxidation
H2S + O2 S + O2 + H 2 O
Bacteria Bacteria

H 2O + S H2SO4

Oxidation of S results in H2SO4 Lowers soil pH


CaCO3 + H2SO4
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CaSO4 + H2CO3

Sulfur Cycle
H2S
Anaerobic Conditions

FeS
Beggiatoa, Thiothrix

Soil Organic S

Elemental S Sulfate
Leaching Aerobic Conditions

Thiobacillus, Beggiatoa,

Thiothrix

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Effect of Soil Temperature on S Oxidation


80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Soil 1 Soil 2 Soil 3 Soil 4 Soil 5

(ppm)

SO4 Level

Soil Temp.
41o F 69o F 80o F

Soils
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S Particle Size Affects Rate of Oxidation


% Sulphur Oxidized

Particle Size
(mesh/inch)

2 weeks

4 weeks

20 40 40 80 80 - 120 120 - 170 230

5 15 36 61 80

14 36 68 81 82

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Oxidization of Elemental Sulphur


Elemental sulphur particle size
The smaller the particle size the faster the conversion to SO4=
90 % Elemental Sulphur

10 % Dispersing Agent T90CR pastille T90CR drop of water T90CR fine powder

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Soil pH
Regulates

plant nutrient availability. Influences micro-organism population.


Bacteria Fungi

--- pH > 6.5

Thiobacillus -- S oxidation

--- pH < 6.5

fixation --- pH > 6.0 P availability --- pH 6.5 7.5


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Relationship Between Soil pH and Plant Nutrient Availability


Adapted from Truog, 1946. SSAP 11:305-308.

Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Sulfur Calcium Magnesium Iron Manganese Boron Copper and Zinc Molybdenum

10

Effect of Soil pH on Phosphorus Availability


Relative P Fixation In Soil Very High High Greatest Fixation High Fixation
Fixation By Iron Fixation Due To Aluminum

Range For Highest P Availability


Medium Fixation

Medium

Fixation By Calcium

Low
4 5

Soil pH

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Sulfur Uptake by Plants


SO4
2-

Is not pH sensitive Relatively insensitive to high

SO4

2- concentrations

in soil

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Sulfur Uptake by Crop


Crop Wheat Sugar Beets Alfalfa Potatoes Corn lbs SO42/unit 0.25 1.5 5 0.04 0.163 Yield bu/Ac 40 30 tons/Ac 3.5 tons/Ac 400 cwt/Ac 140 Uptake lbs/Ac SO4210.0 45.0 18 17 23

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Sulfur Deficiency in Plant


Best Method to Diagnose

tissue analysis Soil sample Sulfur conc. 0.2 0.5% in plant tissue S deficiency NO3 accumulation Balancing S & N nutrition is important for plant & animal health.
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Plant

Sulphur Application
Timing
Fall Spring Soil

Temperature
75 85o F

Optimum range

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Sulphur Application
Product
Tiger

Suggestions

90CR

90% Sulphur

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Fall Applied Tiger 90CR Sulphur

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Sulfur & Other Nutrient Interactions


Optimum S & K levels enhance Zn Uptake Fazili et al (2008) lack of S limits N use efficiency Kowalenko & Lowe (1975) high N:S ratio

decreased S mineralization optimum ratio at 7:1

Excess SO4 can reduce uptake of NO3 & MoO4 Excess NO3 can reduce uptake of SO4 S can reduce Cu toxicity w/Cu S complexes

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Soil Testing for Sulfur


Soil Sulfur determination

compounded by several factors: Soil Sulfur. (OM, Minerals) Sulfur in precipitation. (SO42-) Atmospheric Sulfur. (SO2) Sulfur in soil/crop amendments.
(manure, fertilizer)

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Soil Testing for Sulfur


Collection

pattern Factors that influence


Topography Soil

Type Crop History Manure applications


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Soil Testing for Sulfur


Collect

samples from root zone.

0 - 12 inches deep.

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Plant Tissue Sampling Procedures


Appropriate plant tissue.

Seedlings whole plant Mature plants leaf/stems

Same stage of development. Soil samples w/complete

analysis.
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Tissue Sample Collection


Most recent mature leaves just below

growing point on main stems. Select material without soil particles. DO NOT wash. Do not select dead/deteriorated material. Collect samples ASAP after symptoms appear.

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Sulfur Deficiency in Alfalfa

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Sulfur Deficiency in Alfalfa

Photo: Brian Lang, ISU

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Sulphur in Alfalfa
Soil

Test < 8 ppm Plant tissue test < 0.20% Apply:


50

lbs/ac NH4SO4 or K2SO4 75lbs T90CR


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Sulfur Deficiency in Corn

Photo: Brian Lang, ISU

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Sulfur Deficiency in Corn

Photo: John Sawyer, ISU

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Sulfur Deficiency in Corn


Soil

test value < 8 ppm Plant tissue value < 0.20% Apply:
20

30 lbs/Ac sulfur

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Sulphur Deficiency in Potatoes

Photo: Univ. of Idaho Winter Conference 2011 Far West Washington

Sulphur Deficiency in Potatoes


Soil

test value < 7 ppm Plant tissue value < 0.20% Apply:
10

20 lbs/Ac S

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Sulphur Deficiency in Sugar beets

Photos: Univ. of Cal - Davis Far West Washington Winter Conference 2011

Sulphur in Sugar Beets


Sulphur

should not be limiting S is constituent of 3 amino acids and critical in protein synthesis
Soil

test < 10 ppm in top 12 inches Apply 30 40 lbs/Ac S

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Sulphur in Sugar Beets


Interacts

w/N & both nutrients effectiveness is improved. Enhances sugar quality.

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Sulfur Deficiency in Wheat

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Sulfur Deficiency in Wheat


Soil

test value < 8 ppm Plant tissue value < 0.20% Apply:
20

30 lbs/Ac S

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Sulfur impacts wheat flour baking quality

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Summary
Sulphur is an essential nutrient for plant

growth. Plant sulphur deficiencies are more prevalent. Sulphur mineralization is similar to nitrogen mineralization process. Primary crops grown in PNW have relative high demand for sulphur.
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Summary
Several factors influence S availability
Soil Type, S particle size, soil

temperature, micro-organism (Thiobacillus) population. A planned Sulphur nutrient mgt program provides more consistent SO4 availability from year to year.
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