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EVALUATING THE IMPACTS OF SULFUR ON MIXED, COOL-SEASON FORAGES IN EASTERN OHIO

Applied Research

Dan Lima
OSU Extension Educator
Saint Clairsville

Abstract

Historically, eastern Ohio has had some of the highest sulfur (S) soil test levels in the state due to the impact of coal energy production and atmospheric deposition.  Currently we have seen soil test S reflected in Mehlich 3 (M3) analyses often report low (<15 ppm). Literature suggests that an eight-inch soil test is insufficient to completely describe sulfur availability, but many laboratories report M3 results as an initial indicator. When amending the soil, elemental sulfur or sulfate are the two forms to add S.  Elemental sulfur takes many months to react and will cause acidification. Sulfate is found in many fertilizers and is readily available for plant uptake. Fields from three counties in Eastern Ohio with mixed, cool-season grasses were chosen for the study to compare yield and quality response to application of common fertilizer sources. Soil test sulfur in Jefferson Co. was 7.7 ppm, Licking Co. 8.6 ppm, and Muskingum Co. 18 ppm.  Urea applications were applied at the rate of 110 lb/A; Ammonium Sulfate (AMS) at 238 lb/A; while the control received no inputs.  Fertilizer applications were applied on July 26, 2023. The average dry matter yields of the S deficient plots at harvest were: control-903 lb/A; Urea-1,617 lb/A; AMS-1,747 lb/A.  The average dry matter readings of the S sufficient plots were: control-559 lb/A; Urea-1,018 lb/A; AMS-1,128 lb/A. The response seen in the AMS and urea inputs were similar in both S sufficient and deficient plots.  Quality analysis of the treatments indicated a similar response to urea and AMS. Our results indicate that forages in soils as low as 7.7 ppm S did not have a significant change with the addition of soluble S fertilizer as compared to a fertilizer without S. 

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Authors: Dan Lima, Clifton Martin, Dean Kreager
  1. Lima, D. OSU Extension Educator, OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources , Ohio, 43950
  2. Martin, C. OSU Extension Educator, OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources , Ohio, 43701
  3. Kreager, D. OSU Extension Educator, OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources , Ohio, 43055