Most canola growers agree that the right amount of sulfur will go a long way toward increasing canola yields. But Canola Council of Canada agronomist John Mayko said choosing the most suitable form of sulfur can be confusing.
There is a range of sulfur fertilizers that deliver the goods in different ways and each needs proper management.
“Choose the right form and don’t scrimp, even if you are looking for ways to offset higher nitrogen costs in your fertilizer blends this year,” Mayko said.
To build soil sulfur levels in the spring, Mayko recommended producers use sulfate forms of sulfur fertilizer, such as granular ammonium sulfate or liquid ammonium thiosulfate.
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“It’s especially important to use the sulfate forms of fertilizer on land where soil tests indicate sulfur levels are deficient to marginal.”
Producers can purchase elemental sulfur to use as fertilizer, but Mayko warned not to expect an instant fix. He said while elemental sulfur is often less expensive than sulfate sources, it may provide little accessible sulfur for plants in the year of application.
“This is especially true if the prills or granules are not allowed to break down and disperse on the soil surface prior to incorporation,” he said. “It takes time for the elemental granules to break down and become available to plants.”
This breakdown will take longer if the product is applied in a band or seed-placed, as opposed to broadcasting. Mayko said growers who rely on elemental sulfur to supply the canola crop with sufficient sulfur in the first year may actually see evidence of sulfur deficiency.
“Elemental sulfur does have a place,” Mayko said. “It’s a good source but it should only be used as a maintenance treatment in the years prior to seeding canola, so it’s important to know exactly how much of each type of sulfur is present in sulfur blends.”
Mayko suggested growers check with their fertilizer dealers to get a clear understanding of how much sulfate and elemental sulfur will be supplied per acre. He said these blends can be used as efficient sulfur sources “as long as there’s enough ammonium sulfate in the product to supply sulfur during the growing season.”
