Research completed over the last four years shows corn, soybeans, alfalfa and wheat consistently responds to sulfur fertilization.   In a study by Iowa State researchers, responses in corn to sulfur were observed at 3 of their 6 sites in Central Iowa and North Central Iowa in 2017.   In 2018, they had responses in corn to sulfur at 5 of their 6 sites.  At one location, corn treated with sulfur from gypsum yielded 108 bushels more than the untreated.  Over the 12 site years, the study revealed gypsum treated corn averaged 13 bushels over the untreated.  Some of the responses were in soils with organic matter levels greater than 4%.  The researcher commented that “predicting sulfur responses from soil test levels is difficult”.  “Also,  given the increase in nitrogen use efficiency with the use of sulfur, farmers should consider sulfur in many soils and environments especially if soils have been eroded”.  Sulfate sulfur sources gave greater and more consistent responses than elemental sulfur sources.

Central Iowa Corn Response to Gypsum

Treatment                                Yield, Bu/A

                                          2017                    2018

 Check                               209                     193

Gypsum                            214                     214

Iowa State researchers have also consistently seen sulfur responses in alfalfa over the past seven years.  They have noted that corn following alfalfa is very responsive to sulfur, since alfalfa often depletes soil reserves of sulfur.

Purdue University did sulfur research in soybeans.  They found sulfate sulfur sources gave the greatest yield response with a 12 bushel yield response in 2016 and a 10 bushel response in 2018.  Sulfate sulfur sources gave greater responses than products containing elemental sulfur.  Research shows that later season sulfur uptake is greater with higher yielding varieties which could support the use of a slower release sulfate sulfur product like gypsum.

Treatment                        2018 Soybean Yield, Bu/A

Check                                          62

Gypsum                                      73

Lastly, researchers in North Dakota revealed 6 to 9 bushel yield responses in spring wheat to the application of sulfate sulfur.

We promote PRO CAL 40 gypsum as a soil amendment, providing calcium and improving infiltration and biological activity through better air and water management, however, it is a good source of sulfate sulfur that is needed in most soils.  At the rates of PRO CAL 40 gypsum used as a soil amendment, the soils will have adequate carryover sulfur for multiple years.

Wow, where does time go? I didn’t blink, but here it is the middle of October already! Years ago, before Farmers Lung kicked me off the Family farm, we were filling silo one fall and at noon break I was visiting with one of our Great neighbors, Dale, who helped with this task. I made the comment that the year had blurred by, and Dale asked me, how old are you. I was 26 that year, he proceeded to share this bit of wisdom with me. ” I am 52 years old, double you’re age, if you think time is going fast at 26 , 52 is doubly fast” Well, Dale was right! I wish I was 52 again! Wait, what am I saying? Being blessed with the continued education I have received, going back to 26 sounds even better!

But, even though 2019 was a tough year, it has passed in a blink, and now it’s time to plan for the 2020 growing season. With the wet year, our soils have taken a hit. Surface tension has increased and microbial activity has decreased in our water logged soils.  What makes yield? Air and Water Management is key. We need to GET OXYGEN INTO THE SOIL so we can grow our Microbial Herd! None of the huge amount of nutrients that are in the soil profile can be utilized without the presence of microbes. So, as many of our customers can attest to, Pro Cal 40 Gypsum will help flocculate our soils, allowing oxygen down into the soil profile letting our Microbial Herd come back to help release nutrients! So, as you plan for 2020, consider applying Pro Cal 40 as your Major nutrient source for the year. Over the years, this has proven very beneficial to increasing yields. Remember, Improve your Soils and the Yields will follow!

 

Gene

Soil Solutions LLC

After Day 1 of the PRO FARMER crop tour it was noted that some fields had significant disease pressure and given the current moisture conditions, it is anticipated that the diseases will continue to spread. This could spell stalk quality problems at harvest if not treated plus lighter test weight.

Two bacterial diseases were observed. These were Bacterial Leaf Streak and Goss’s Wilt. (Picture of Goss’s Wilt to the left) Fungal diseases present were Grey Leaf Spot and rust.

Fungicides will not have any activity on bacterial diseases. However, PROCIDIC is an effective tool in managing each of these bacterial diseases. It is best to apply it early to keep the disease from spreading. Give us a call to learn how PROCIDIC can be an effective tool in managing your diseases.

Look at the two pictures. Can you tell me which one is Grey Leaf Spot and which one is Bacterial Leaf Streak? It takes a pretty sharp eye to be able to tell the difference and even then, there could be some degree of uncertainty in your mind. Northern Corn Leaf Blight, a fungal disease and Goss’s Wilt, a bacterial disease can also look similar in their early stages.

Both, Grey Leaf Spot and Bacterial Leaf Streak are present in Nebraska corn fields this year. The problem is that if mis-diagnosed, you may spray a fungicide and if it is Bacterial Leaf Streak you will not see any control since bacterial diseases are not controlled by fungicides. PROCIDIC does have activity on Bacterial Leaf Streak and most fungal diseases as well. You could consider using PROCIDIC or combining PROCIDIC with your current fungicide to give several modes of action. If you have questions about the use of PROCIDIC, please give Gene a call at 712-433-0000.

The correct answer is that the picture on the left is Bacterial Leaf Streak and the picture on the right is Grey Leaf Spot. Were you correct in your identification?