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Agronomic Crops Network

Agronomic Crops Network
https://agcrops.osu.edu

Ohio State University Extension

Sulfur

C.O.R.N. Newsletter Articles

Do you need to apply sulfur to reach your corn yield goals?

Author(s): Steve Culman , Author(s): Louceline Fleuridor, Master Candidate , Author(s): Greg LaBarge, CPAg/CCA , Author(s): Ed Lentz, CCA

There is a general interest in applying sulfur fertilizer to maximize corn productivity and we’ve heard industry professionals claim that sulfur deficiency this widespread across Ohio. How much truth is there to this? Do we have a widespread sulfur deficiency in Ohio?

Issue: 2021-19
Are Sulfur Deficiencies Becoming More Common in Ohio?

Author(s): Laura Lindsey , Author(s): Steve Culman

Sulfur is an essential macronutrient for crop production, often ranked behind only nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in importance. Overall, for corn and soybean, deficiencies are fairly rare. However, deficiencies can occur and are most likely on sandy soils with low organic matter (<1.0%). Much like nitrogen, the primary form of sulfur in the soil is found in the organic fraction, and the form taken up by plants (sulfate) is highly mobile. For every 1 percent of organic matter, there is approximately 140 pounds of sulfur, most of which is unavailable.

Issue: 2020-03