DECISION-MAKING
GUIDE
SULFUR
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Framework provides Implementing 4R principles is challenging because
a comprehensive approach of managing plant nutrients there is no single set of correct practices that can be universally
to increase food production while improving the ecological adopted. Each farmer and crop adviser makes decisions best
integrity of farms. When correct decisions are made suited to local conditions and crops—adjusting practices for each
regarding the 4R’s (using the right nutrient source, at the
right rate, at the right time, and in the right place) there objectives, environmental concerns, and regulations—to meet the
overall goals. Because local conditions determine the appropriate
nutrient leakage to the environment, and the protection of 4R practices, nutrient management decisions are best made at a
natural areas and wildlife. local level, rather than with centralized regulations.
S
ulfur (S) is one of the essential plant nutrients and
is required in relatively large quantities. A lack of S
Right Source
the past few decades due to less atmospheric S deposition
as air quality improves.
plants, although the vast majority of S in soils is stored
continually convert small amounts of organic
S-containing molecules to sulfate. The conversion of
Provide a balance of essential plant nutrients,
considering the use of all available nutrient sources. Plant
roots only take up nutrients in a soluble form and these
this important nutrient into the plant. must be present when the plant needs them. Sulfur fertilizer
sources should be selected based on soil properties, the crop
Some of the fertilizer S that is not recovered in the crop requirement, and potential leaching losses below the rootzone.
is incorporated into organic compounds, where it can
Examples of Right Source
the environmental impact of this loss is minimal. Under Use a S source that provides sulfate-S when an
immediate crop response is required.
Fluid S sources (e.g., thiosulfates) are rapidly converted
to sulfate. Elemental S needs to be oxidized to sulfate
before plant uptake. The S oxidation rate depends on
particle size, soil conditions and temperature.
to achieve production goals in an environmentally
Where leaching losses are likely, consider a fertilizer
source that has some sulfate for immediate use and
some elemental S to meet later crop demands.
Excessive sulfate can be damaging to germinating
seeds, so in-furrow applications need to consider soil
properties, machinery set-up, and crop tolerance.
Many S fertilizers also contain other plant nutrients.
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Examples of Right Time
Right Rate
Be aware of forecasted weather events and drainage
conditions that can move applied S fertilizer—as well as
timing of the peak S demand of crops.
Add fertilizer based on the soil nutrient supply
and the plant demand. Application rates may be adjusted
based on soil nutrient analyses to account for the existing
Right Place
nutrient supply. Realistically attainable predictions of crop
performance and yield should be used to estimate crop
requirements and nutrient removal. Nutrient application
rates should also account for fertilizer use efficiency. Nutrient
applications should provide a balance of all the essential
plant nutrients to optimize crop nutrition and performance.
Examples of Right Rate
Plant nutrients need to be in a soluble form before
roots can acquire them. Some forms of S are not very soluble
organic matter content, and soil tests where appropriate. and do not move in the soil. Soluble S in soil is largely in
the form of sulfate, which moves freely with soil water.
Sulfur-containing fertilizer can be applied to the soil surface,
decisions on fertilizer application rate. incorporated by tillage, or banded in concentrated zones in
the soil to help maximize plant recovery. The concept of “right
place” also refers to applying fertilizer only in field zones
the crop to use it may result in greater risk of unwanted where crops will positively respond to nutrient additions. In
losses to water or air. consistently low-yielding areas, reduce fertilizer applications to
match crop needs to avoid risk of excessive loss.
Examples of Right Place
Right Time
Place S fertilizer near the crop root zone or where
development and architecture.
Take care with in-furrow fertilizer placement near
of the crop. Crops growing in soils with low organic
Fertilizer decisions should account for the nutrient
demands of the crop, the soil nutrient supply, potential responsive to S applications.
losses, and the ability to get application equipment into the
In general, it is preferable to add fertilizer as close to soil surface if there is little likelihood of irrigation or
the time of plant uptake as possible. For some S Sources (e.g., rainfall to move sulfate into the root zone.
elemental S), fertilizer application can precede crop uptake by
many months. However, the risk of sulfate loss from the root Further Reading
zone increases the longer it remains in the root zone before
plant uptake.
For more information about 4R Nutrient Stewardship you can visit http://www.ipni.net/4R
