Tag: leaching

The typical recommendation would be prior to planting. Nevertheless, if weather conditions prevent your from spreading it pre-planting, you may also apply it post-planting. Purdue university work has shown yield responses to 100 pounds per acre of ammonium sulfate applied as late as V4 growth stage.

Yes. When dissolving incremental amounts of ammonium sulfate (AMS) up to 17 pounds per 100 gallons (covering typical AMS recommended rates as herbicide adjuvant) water pH went gradually down from 7.67 to 6.30.

It depends on the crop in question as well as the form of sulfur used. While small grains need sulfur early in the season to promote tiller formation, in the case of canola sulfur is more critical at the time of flowering and seed set; and in the case of modern corn hybrids and soybean varieties, sulfur needs are significant both early in the season as well as post-flowering. Regarding sources, elemental sulfur sources may need up to three seasons to oxidize, depending on environmental conditions, while sulfate sources, like ammonium sulfate, are readily available. At-planting applications of sulfate sources tend to be more efficient than pre-plant applications, since the latter provide more chances for leaching loss. As for in-season applications of sulfate sources, they can be more or less efficient depending on the amount and distribution of rainfall relative to timing of application and crop uptake pattern.

While the blended product should not have any issues during storage, it could face problems once applied to the soil, due to potential ammonia volatilization (from the ammonium-N in both MAP and ammonium sulfate), as well as possible Ca-P precipitation (from Ca-lime and MAP), and gypsum precipitation (from Ca-lime and ammonium sulfate). Having said that, the concern would not be nearly as much as if it were the case of granulated product, since bulk blends allow for physical separation of granules upon application.

It will depend mainly on soil texture and whether it is applied straight or in a blend. A 50 pound per acre rate of straight ammonium sulfate would be safe to apply next to the seed across soils, yet you could double that amount on a heavy soil.

It can certainly make sense, particularly under no-till conditions. Just stay away from urea-containing fertilizers which, due to potential ammonia toxicity, are not recommended for applications in direct contact with the seed. Ammonium sulfate is a common and safe starter option which also supplies sulfur to the young seedling.

Ten to 20 gallons of ammonium sulfate solution per acre would equate to 8 to 16 lb N/acre. Assuming that the fertilizer solution covers 20% of the row width, then the ammonium sulfate rate per wetted row would be equivalent to 40 – 80 lb N/acre, which should not cause a significant salt effect.

I’m not aware of any formal ammonium sulfate recommendation for slug control, although I have seen it listed as a home remedy option. The idea here would be to burn slugs upon contact, rather than a residual effect.

It is hard to tell, because it depends on several factors. Most notably, with the same amount of rainfall, the sulfate ion can move faster from surface to root zone through a sandy soils than through a heavier soils. On the other hand, the sulfate ion could also move down below the root zone of a sandy soil, for example, so rainfall could be too little or too much…

Yes, it is possible to create a reservoir of sulfur through long-term application of elemental sulfur. Be aware, though, that elemental sulfur oxidation produces acidity. So, with time, it may gradually decrease soil pH to the point that liming may be needed (or, if already in a liming program, rates may need bumped up).