Keep It Simple Sulphur Data Gleaned from Alberta Innovates Technology Futures Research Report Evaluation of Sulphur Compost Product as a Soil Modifier for Canola Growth Authors Dani Degenhardt AITF ID: 576763
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Slide1
K.I.S.S.
Keep It Simple
Sulphur!!Slide2Slide3
Data Gleaned from Alberta Innovates Technology Futures Research Report
Evaluation of Sulphur Compost Product as a Soil Modifier for Canola Growth
AuthorsDani Degenhardt (AITF)Kristine Wichuk (EWMCE)Eugene Dakin (Tervita)
Gleanings by Elston Solberg (SMI - Bio Cycle)Slide4
Bio-Cycle Premium Plus
Wide range of particles!! < 1 micron to 6,000+ micronsWorking to reduce the % large nuggets
Currently approximately:10% < 200 microns = Real FAST - yr 132% 200 to 1,000 m – Rapid -
yr
1/2/3
28% 1,000 to 2,000 - Moderate -
yr
2/3/416% 2,000 to 4,000 - Slow - yr 2/3/4/514% > 4,000 microns =
Real SLOW – yr 3/10Slide5
Bio-Cycle Premium Plus
Wide range of particles!! < 1 micron to 6,000+ microns
1 150 600 1,200 2,000 4,000 6,000
microns
Days
Days to 2 years
Weeks to 3-4 years
Months to 4-5 years
Months to 5-6 years
Months to 6+ yearsSlide6
> 2000
840 – 2000
420 – 840177 – 420125 – 17788 – 125
62 - 88Slide7
Logistics Trumps Agronomics
Grower Sustainability Story!!Slide8
Sulphur – Every Crop, Every Year!
Crop
Target Yield
S
Needed
S
Removed
Canola
6036
24Wheat
70
18
12
Peas
65
27
18
Malt, Oats,
Hay,
Etc
C-W = 21
lb
deficit
C-W-P = 39
lb
deficitSlide9
Lime Required per lb SSlide10
Data Gleaned from Alberta Innovates Technology Futures Research Report
Evaluation of Sulphur Compost Product as a Soil Modifier for Canola Growth
AuthorsDani Degenhardt (AITF)Kristine Wichuk (EWMCE)Eugene Dakin (Tervita)
Gleanings by Elston Solberg (SMI - Bio Cycle)Slide11Slide12Slide13
Selected Soil was NOT S deficient but extremely N deficient. Added urea was insufficient to optimize yields.
Direct Seeding was simulated.
This minimizes the potential for ES oxidationSlide14
Experimental Compost and Sulphur Treatments
Application rates were based on surface area.Slide15Slide16Slide17
Canola Biomass Yield
Total of 2 growth cycles averaged across all C and SC treatments
g/pot
+19.0 % Slide18
Sulphur Compost Effects on Plant Tissue Nutrient Content (%)
N, S, P,
Ca and Mg plant tissue nutrient concentrations increased with applied S compost. K decreased.
N was extremely deficient and likely reduced crop responses. Slide19
Sulphur Compost Effects on Plant Tissue Nutrient Content (ppm)
B, Cu, Fe,
Mn and Zn plant tissue nutrient concentrations increased with applied S compost. Slide20
Initial and Post experiment Soil Analysis
The huge jump in soil SO4-S indicates soil mixingSlide21
This test confirms the presence of Sulphur specific organisms in the compost material.Slide22
A reduction of soil pH reflects conversion of elemental S to plant available SO
4
-S.Slide23
Soil pH after Final Harvest
Compost and Sulphur Compost Rates
pHSlide24
Total Soil % S
Sulphur Rates
% S
Declining Total S values indicates conversion of elemental sulphur to SO4-S.Slide25
Soil SO4-S Content after each harvest
Sulphur Rates
S0
4
-S (ppm)
Low SO
4
-S after growth cycle 1 indicates poor oxidation with simulated direct seeding.
Soil mixing after cycle 1 harvest provided ES dispersion and rapid conversion to SO
4
-S.Slide26
Soil Sulphate S – Cycle 1
ppm
SO
4
-S found in soil after cycle 1 harvest - averaged across all C and SC treatments Slide27
Soil Sulphate S – Cycle 2
SO
4-S found in soil after cycle 2 harvest - averaged across all C and SC treatments
ppmSlide28
Final Net Soil Sulphate-S
p
pm SO4-S
0-5 cm depth
SO
4
-S is soil mobile. Significant additional SO
4-S would likely be found deeper in the pots.Slide29
My Conclusions from Study
Sulphur specific organisms were present in compost sources.
Simulated direct seeding placement greatly reduced Growth Cycle 1 oxidation (conversion to SO4-S). Sulphur compost increased biomass yield despite
soil NOT being
deficient in S
and
extremely
deficient in N. S compost increased the uptake of N, S, P, Ca, Mg, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. Only K
decreased.
Elemental S oxidation was significant after soil mixing prior to Growth Cycle 2 as evidenced by decreasing soil
pH and total S concentration coupled with
increasing SO4-
S with increasing S compost rates.
Sulphur Compost is an
effective
source of crop available sulphur when applied to optimized particle dispersion and soil contact.Slide30
K.I.S.S.
Keep It Simple
Sulphur!!Slide31