Consider Sulphur deficiency in high-yield crop programs WASHINGTON, D.C. - Wheat growers are reminded that the persistent use of high-analysis N- P-K fertilizers over the past decade, plus the popularity of high yielding varieties that tax soil nutrient reserves, has made U.S. acreage more susceptible to sulphur deficiency. Without adequate sulphur, wheat cannot be expected to reach its full potential in terms of yield, quality or protein content, says Bob Morris, agronomist at The Sulphur Institute, an international trade group based in Washington, D.C. “A sulphur deficiency can also prevent your crop from making efficient use of applied nitrogen fertilizers,” he claims. “Top dressing additional N to a field that is even marginally sulphur deficient can throw off the crop’s internal nutrient balance and actually induce a more severe sulphur deficiency in the crop.” Sulphur, which aids protein and chlorophyll formation in plants, is one of 16 basic elements needed to W Wickes Lumber fftRWSS« B,nlS 15'6"x32' Loa * in 9 Shed | 1 * Bui^<( y° uruK * n( * additions available Wickes Lumber. .. Your Best Choice! Prices good at the following location only: iy 4 Mile North East of EPHRATA, PA. on Rt. 272 < PH: 717-733-6521 or Lane. 717-394-9325 CREDIT _r Hours: Mon. Thurs. Fn. BAM -8 PM, Tues. Wed. 8 AM-5:30 PM; Sat. 8 AM-3 PM support plant life. In the past, soils may have received ample sulphur from the atmosphere to support crop yields. Significant sulphur was also included in traditional plant foods like ammonium sulfate and ordinary superphosphate. “Today’s high-analysis N fer tilizers - such as urea, ammonium nitrate and UAN solution - do not contain any incidental sulphur,” Morris says. “What’s more, the higher yields produced by farmers today remove more nutrients from the soil.” Cleaner air resulting from pollution-control regulations have also decreased the amount of “free” sulphur that crops get from the atmosphere, he adds. “We’re still getting sulphur from the atmosphere,” says Morris, pointing to environmental con cerns about acid rain. “But in some regions we’re evidently not getting enough S from the at mosphere to support today’s high yielding crop varieties.” A 100-bushel wheat yield *1599 24x24' General Utility Building *2399 • 10 sidewalls • 10 wide end door • a additions available 32 x32' Multi-Purpose Building •12 sidewalls _ _ • wide end door • Optional 0 additions \ B I■■ ■ ■” ooira 36 x4o' Multi-Purpose Building • 12’ aidewalla • 16' wide end door • Optional 8' additions 4 ■ ■■■ “ jSISH Shallow Well Pump • Vi HP • Includes pump motor control body C|H > I and automatic prassura switch I *PrMBur« gauge not end I E« 315051 ■ Fiberglass Liner Panels • RuM. rot S mlMw • Easy installation (OfIDS with adhaslva and/or J fUwll matal faatanars * m WtAM wsoso removes 25 pounds of sulphur r acre from the soil. To produce optimum yield and make efficient use of applied N, a wheat crop should contain one unit of S for every 10-12 units of N. A narrower ratio of applied sulphur and nitrogen will help maintain this ratio, Morris says. Following is a summary of results from sulphur fertilization, as recorded recently by major land-grant universities: • At Oregon State University, topdressing 10 pounds S increased wheat yields from 48 to 69 bushels per acre. • At Kansas State University, with a nitrogen rate of 60 pounds per acre, 60 pounds S boosted wheat yields by 6.1 bushels. When N rate was increased to 120 pounds per acre and no extra S was ap plied, only a 7.5-bushel increased was recorded. • At Penn State University, on heavy clay soils where S deficiency is generally not a problem, top dressing 30 pounds S boosted wheat PRICES GOOD THRU MARCH 30,1985 Bi-Rib Painted Steel Roofing/Siding • Weathertight lap . 38 s, s auee tJOBA • Color coating won t <fr#l crack peel blister \\ m % Painted Roof Gutter Pressure Treated Timbers >10.99 ‘14.99 ■12.69 4x6 ‘20.59 ‘16.95 ‘23.49 6x6 bnq-Ustinq Protection! Horizontal Sliding Aluminum Windows • Natural aluminum fimah • Weaiherstnpped • Fiberglass half l||^^ screen included W 4 Agri-Dor • Prehung insulated service door system M AP complete with J ■ ■ M JJ3 locksei and Ww threshold ■ ■ ■ 3 0 *6 0 U m 539226 %" Styrene Insulation Board • Our moat economical foam sheathing • A versatile energy saver ■■ |W veuMnfpwMf MkHrlNiaHMi T W 4 if ShL • Your choice of white or brown aluminum • Full 5 width - K style V M IHA • All accessories in stock 1 tVIIUy Sector* I 2900 M W Wickes Lumber yields 9.3 bushels per acre. • At the University of Georgia, 25 pounds S increased wheat yield 5.2 bushels per acre. • At N.C. State University, wheat yields jumped 10.3 bushels when the university applied 80 pounds S per acre. • Morris says that crop responses to sulphur may not always be as dramatic or as profitable as those recorded in the above studies. “But these data demonstrate how important ‘18.49 ‘29.95 •32.95 tOO Sq Ft sulphur can be in a high-yield program,” he says. “If you don’t need sulphur in your fertilizer program, then don’t use it,” Morris concludes. “The point is that S deficiencies are more likely to occur today than in previous years, and growers would be wise to keep tabs on their soil’s sulphur status.” Farmers should consult their fertilizer suppliers about the most economical sources of S in their immediate area. ON RODENT CONTROL RODENTS carry diseases which can endanger the health of your poultry flocks. Your business is raising them. Ours is protecting them. We Specialize In Sanitizing And Disinfecting Poulti 1928 4* All-Plant LIQUID PLANT FOOD 9-18-9 PLUS OTHERS! • Contains 100% white ortho phosphoric acid. Made in USA. • Non-corrosive. Won’t settle. • Top quality. Excellent service. • Newest equipment. • Financially sound... and growing! Big Demand Requires More Distribitors! □ I sell to farmers. How do I become your distributor? □. I’m a farmer. What’s the price? Where do I get it? CALL or SEND FOR FACTS: Phone: 419-962-4707 AILPLAKI LIQUID PUNT FOOD, IHC. 821StateRd.SllN.RFD3. Ashland, Ohio 44805 Houses Lancaster, PA 3913721 Lewistowa, PA 248-0983 State College, PA 2377607
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers