101853 Status of Sulfur in Pennsylvania Corn Production.

Poster Number 468-503

See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
See more from this Session: Fertilizer & Lime Responses 1

Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Phoenix Convention Center North, Exhibit Hall CDE

Douglas B. Beegle, Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, John Spargo, Tower Road, Ag Analytical Services Lab, University Park, PA and Tyler Rice, Department of Plant Science, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Abstract:
Historically sulfur (S) has not been a fertility concern in Pennsylvania crop production because of significant S deposition in acid rain.  A statewide survey of S in crops conducted in 2001 found no evidence of S deficiency.  However, there has been a dramatic reduction in S deposition, resulting in a declining trend in soil test S levels, and increasing reports of suspected S deficiency in crops in PA.  In 2014 and 2015 a new survey of corn S status was conducted.  Extension educators across the state collected plant tissue and soil samples from 78 representative corn fields.  Management data was also collected for each field sampled.  Median Mehlich 3 soil test S was 18 ppm S, which is very similar to the median S (15 ppm S) for all farmer soil samples submitted to the Ag Analytical Services Lab at Penn State.  Median corn earleaf S from the survey was 0.18%.  In the survey, 75% of the samples were below the optimum range of 0.2 – 0.5% used in PA.  There was a very weak relationship between earleaf S and Mehlich 3 soil test S (r2= 0.12).  Approximately one-half of the sites sampled had a history of frequent manure and/or S fertilizer application application.  There was a slight trend toward higher earleaf and soil S levels where there was a history of manure or S application.  Starting in 2015, S response experiments were conducted at 7 on-farm locations across the state.  There was a significant yield response to S (p=0.1) at 4 of 7 locations.  Average yield response to S was 13 bu/A.  Soil test and plant S were variable, but roughly followed the trend in yield response.  Survey and S response experiments are continuing in 2016.

See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
See more from this Session: Fertilizer & Lime Responses 1

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