2015 | Soil Solutions LLC

Sulfur Nutrition

June 26, 2015

Sulfur Nutrition-Like Nitrogen, but Different

Both sulfur and nitrogen are critical for protein development and for chlorophyll production so one may assume that both nutrients are required at the same time and react similarly in the plant. However, this is not completely correct. One major factor to consider is that nitrogen is quite mobile in the plant while sulfur is not. There is relatively little redistribution out of the leaf. Couple that with the fact that much of the nitrogen, at least 75%, is taken up prior to flowering while the corn plant still needs 50% of its sulfur after flowering. A 230 bushel corn crop takes about 25 pounds of sulfur to fill the ear so much of this has to be taken up after pollination. This means that we need sulfur available for root uptake during grain fill and we need actively growing roots at that time to be able to absorb the sulfur. In sandy soils this may mean providing additional sulfur through fertigation later in the season. In heavy soils having adequate sulfur in the sulfate form in the soil profile is critical. Gypsum is a good source of plant available sulfate sulfur and if you apply 1 ton of PRO CAL 40 you will get about 300 pounds of sulfur, enough sulfur to meet your crop needs for this crop, plus additional years.

What about applying sugar with your post emergent herbicides or with your foliar applications of nutrients?

June 10, 2015

A few years ago I heard many crop advisors and producers laugh when it was mentioned to use sugar. More recently there is more and more credence put to the use of sugars in crop production. There are a number of opinions as to why it works. I will outline some below.

Farmers doing on-farm research in Nebraska have documented that stalk quality has been improved where they applied sugar in their post spray. Exact reasons for this are thought to be related to improved microbial activity around the plants to help ward off diseases.

Utah State found that the addition of sugar enhance the beneficial insects such as lady beetle and lace wings which may have improved production. A study by USDA/ARS has also shown that sugar enhance the survival rate of female lady beetles and egg production.

Other studies have shown that a beneficial bacteria associated with roots and leaves called “pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs” (PPFMs) are enhanced by the addition of sugar. These PPFMs excrete auxins and cytokinins, that can influence root growth, and reduce effects of high temperatures and drought stress. Some also feel that the PPFMs may provide antibiotics to the crop to keep them healthier and ward off diseases.

Still others know that the sugar acts as a humectin which decreases the relative humidity at which the spray solution will dry. This results in the product being available longer for uptake by the plant. If the spray solution is an herbicide, this will mean more time for herbicide activity and greater weed control. If it is a nutrient solution, it will mean more time for the nutrients to be absorbed by the leaf before it dries and is unavailable for uptake.

Some farmers have felt that the sugar added to the spray simply makes the solution sticky and will adhere to the leaf making the herbicide more effective. Whatever, the reason, the small cost of fifty cents per acre seems for most users to be money well spent.

Drone footage-Planting 2015

June 3, 2015

Check out drone footage of our 72 Row Twin 20’s planter. Click link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE_m5IHmzq4

Don’t forget the Micro-organisms!

May 26, 2015

At first glance, soil appears to be quite lifeless, however, when you look at it under a microscope you find that it is anything but. In a single teaspoon of soil it is estimated that there are billions of microbes. Microbe populations include fungi, bacteria, protozoa, actinomycetes and nematodes. The area around the plant roots become a hotbed of microbial activity and adding carbon to the soil surrounding roots greatly increases the number of microorganisms. Much of this added carbon comes from root exudates. These are a gel-like substance that is produced by plant roots. In some plants as much as 1/3 to ½ of the carbon produced during photosynthesis is exuded through the roots.

Many factors can affect this microbial activity including moisture, pH, soil texture and soil structure. Improved soil structure increases root growth and results in greater extraction of water and nutrients. Greater soil aggregation results in better porosity which means potentially more water holding capacity or greater soil aeration. Gypsum improves soil structure and soil aggregation, thus can greatly enhance microbial activity. Some studies have shown that by improving soil structure, less soluble phosphorus is required for plant growth. This could be related to improved root growth plus increased microbial activity around the roots increasing nutrient uptake.

PRO CAL 40 gypsum-Even More Than You Bargained For

April 22, 2015

We promote PRO CAL 40, our brand of gypsum, as a soil amendment to condition the soil, but it is even more than that. Numerous researchers have shown that gypsum does improve soil’s ability to absorb water and decrease runoff. It also improves soil structure by supplying calcium for flocculation of the clay particles. Most of our clients have applied PRO CAL 40 for these reasons and many have given testimonials to its effectiveness.

However, another benefit of gypsum is that it provides a very cost effective source of sulfur and calcium. Current market price for sulfur is around fifty cents per pound of sulfur. At the current price the cost for sulfur in PRO CAL 40 is about five cents per pound of sulfur, making it a real bargain, and you get the calcium thrown in at no cost.

Getting Started!

March 14, 2015

We are working diligently to get started on a blog area so that you can see information faster!

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