Wednesday, November 15, 2006
285-31

Response of Soft Red Winter Wheat to Spring Applied Sulfur.

Edwin Lentz and Robert Mullen. Ohio State Univ, 3140 SR 100, Suite E, Tiffin, OH 44883-8810

Atmospheric sulfur deposited by rainfall has decreased by 50% over the last 27 years and may increase the need for additional S for wheat production. The objective of this study was to evaluate yield and quality response to supplemental sulfur.  Two experimental locations were established in the fall of 2004 and 2005. Sulfur (and N) was applied at Feekes GS 3 or 6 as either ammonium sulfate (AMS) or gypsum at two different rates (22.4 and 44.8 kg of S per ha).  Each treatment received 89.6 kg of N per ha as urea or urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) solution alone or as blends of urea-AMS, urea-gypsum or UAN-AMS.  Sulfur fertilization did not affect grain yield. Grain protein and test weight were not affected at one site but did increase grain protein at the 44.8 kg per ha rate at the other in 2005.  Based on these results, sulfur fertilization does not appear to improve wheat yields or quality.

Handout (.pdf format, 127.0 kb)