Brimstone 90 Sulphur Fertiliser

The need for sulphur

Sulphur is a vital plant nutrient which is needed by plants in similar quantities to phosphorus. Sulphur supplied from the atmosphere to arable crops has now reached extremely low levels with industrial emissions in 2007 now contributing 10% of the amount provided in the 1980. This fact together with a switch away from using traditional manufactured fertiliser that contained useful amounts of the nutrient has meant that all crops can now be potentially deficient in sulphur.
Sulphur fertilisers can benefit arable crops in two ways:-

• Direct yield boost ( recent HGCA works showed 6% yield increase in winter wheat across 88 field trials since 2000 and W OSR can be hit with 60% yield penalties in worst case scenarios)
• Improving protein content and baking quality of wheat milling samples

Why use Brimstone 90?

• 90% pure elemental sulphur (225% SO3)
• Save money by using Brimstone 90 sulphur & straight nitrogen over expensive N/S compounds & blends
• User-friendly low application rates (20-50kg/ha)
• Uniform, dust-free, and  spreads to at least 24m (fertiliser spreader  setting available)
• Brimstone 90 has the optimum spread of particle size range compared with any other sulphur/bentonite or elemental sulphur product
• Fine particle size helps conversion from sulphur to plant available sulphate
• Rapid physical breakdown is followed by sulphate release in warmer Spring temperature when crop needs it
• Wide application window and season-long supply to plant
• No risk of leaching unlike ammonium sulphate
• Early application reduces the risk of applying ammonium sulphate before a dry spell of weather eg 2010 & 2011
• Elemental sulphur can raise the sulphur supply capacity of the soil over a period of time unlike ammonium sulphate

Cereals

Sulphur is important in protein production and grain quality. Milling wheats and all cereals grown on light and medium soils should receive15-25kg/ha Brimstone 90 (35-55kgSO3/ha). First feed wheats and feed barleys grown on heavy and organic soils where Brimstone 90 is applied at recommended rates throughout the rotation are unlikely to give an economic benefit to sulphur applications.

Dose rates and timing
Winter Cereals – 15-25kg/ha (35-55kgSO3/ha) - apply from Sep-Feb

Oilseed rape and Brassica Vegetables

All winter oilseed rape crops and brassica vegetables should be routinely treated with sulphur.  When deficiencies occur yield penalties can be severe. Sulphur is also very important in the synthesis of oil in oilseed rape. On light and medium soils apply 45kg/ha of Brimstone 90 (100kg SO3) and on heavy and organic soils apply 35kg/ha (80kg SO3).

Dose rates and timing
Winter Oilseed Rape – 35-45kg/ha (80-100kgSO3/ha) – apply from Sep-Feb
Brassica vegetables – 45-50kg/ha (100-110kgSO3/ha) – apply at planting

Grassland

Brimstone 90 on grassland – Summary

Grass and grass/clover swards require significant amounts of
sulphur for maximum production. Deficiency symptoms can
increasingly be seen in grassland and cause large yield reductions, whilst impairing quality. Apply 20kg/ha of Brimstone 90 (45kg/ha SO3) for each planned hay or silage cut at the onset of spring growth.

Dose rates and timing
Grassland for silage - apply as single application of 40-60kg/ha Brimstone 90 (90-135kgSO3/ha) (depending on 2 or 3 cut system) – apply  from mid Feb-end March.

Peas

Brimstone 90 on peas – Summary

Peas require a large amount of sulphur because of their high protein content. Sulphur deficiency can be a limiting factor in the nitrogen fixation process, which can affect the productivity of following crops too.

Pea yield losses from sulphur deficiency can easily be in excess of 20%, whilst quality can also be seriously affected (Dr Zhao, Rothamsted). Peas grown on light and medium soils require 15-25kg/ha of Brimstone 90 (35-55kgSO3/ha) applied prior to drilling.

Dose rates and timing
Peas - 15-25kg/ha (35-55kgSO3/ha) - apply at drilling

Does it pay?

• Brimstone 90 is not subject to huge price fluctuations of other sulphur containing fertilisers
• Brimstone 90 ‘s application cost can be recovered by very small yield increases
• Big savings possible from using Brimstone 90 and straight nitrogen over expensive compounds and blends

Fertiliser spreader calibrations

Brimstone 90 has been tested independently by SCS Spreader and Sprayer Testing. The results of many commonly used spreaders including Amazone, Accord Excta, Kverneland Exacta, KRM Ex Trend, Kuhn Axis and Vicon can be downloaded below.

Download the PDF