| Fertilizer | S Rate (lb S/ac) | Application Method | Yield (bu/ac) | | No S and No N | 0 | None | 34 | | N only1 | 0 | None | 25 | | 20-0-0-24 plus N | 30 | Band | 39 | | S95 plus N | 30 | Band | 35 | | S95 plus N | 30 | Surface after seeding (SAS) | 38 | | T90 plus N | 30 | Band | 29 | | T90 plus N | 30 | Surface after seeding (SAS) | 32 |
| Fertilizer | Rate (lb/ac) | Application Method | Yield of Check (%) | | No S | 0 | None | 2.1 | | 20-0-0-24 Check | 30 | Spring banded | 100 | | T90 | 30 | Spring broadcast | 7.6 | | T60 | 30 | Spring broadcast | 58.3 | | Sulfer 95 | 30 | Spring broadcast | 23.8 | | T90 | 30 | Fall broadcast | 9.8 | | T60 | 30 | Fall broadcast | 49.8 | | Sulfer 95 | 30 | Fall broadcast | 35.7 |
All treatment received 72 lb/ac of banded N and 75 lb/ac of broadcast P2O5.
Animal manure as S fertilizer
Animal manure, particularly liquid swine effluent, is low in S relative to nitrogen. It has been observed that N:S ratios varied from 7:1 to 17:1 for cattle manure and from 13:1 to 25:1 for pig slurry. The majority of these N:S ratios are too great for optimum canola production, which requires an N:S ratio of 7:1. In the majority of cases, supplemental S fertilization will be required when using animal manure to fertilize canola.
Summary
Sulphur is an essential plant nutrient that is of particular importance to canola production. Sulphur deficiency is common in Alberta soils and is increasing. Sulphur deficiency symptoms vary between crops. Symptoms of S deficiency in canola include leaf cupping, purpling and underdeveloped pods. If applied early enough, a broadcasted application of ammonium sulphate can correct S deficiency.
Fertilizer recommendations should be based on representative soil samples taken to depths of 12 or 24 inches. Fertilizers that supply S in the sulphate form are immediately available to crops. Elemental S° fertilizers must be surface applied where they can be oxidized to plant available SO4-S. Depending on soil type and environmental conditions, this conversion can take from less than a year to more than two years.
Prepared by:
Mike Hall - Integrated Crop Management Specialist
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development,
Fort Vermilion (780) 927-3713
Elston Solberg - Manager
Agri-Knowledge Division, Agri-Trend Agrology
Photo credits
Figure 2b - Phil Thomas
Figure 4a & 5a - Agronomy Unit collection
All remaining photos taken by Mike Hall
References
Eriksen, J. 1997. "Animal Manure as S Fertilizer." Sulphur in Agriculture. 20:27-30.
Hall, M.R. 1999. "Effect of Sulphur Source and Placement on Canola Yield." North Peace Applied Research Association Annual Report. pp.45-48.
Penney, D.C., McKenzie, S.C., Nolan, S.C. and Goddard, T.W. Use of Crop Yield and Soil-Landscape Attribute Maps for Variable Rate Fertilization. (Unpublished data)
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