The Key to Profitability: Stand Count, Seed Safety, and Sulfur

In agriculture, margins are tight, and every input decision can make or break a season’s profitability. Farmers fine-tune nitrogen and potassium applications, invest in high-quality genetics, and adjust plant populations with precision. Yet, sulfur—the essential nutrient that influences everything from early vigor to grain fill—can be an afterthought in many fertility programs. Whether it’s canola, peas, potatoes, or cereals, one of the critical factors in achieving this is ensuring that your plants receive the right nutrients, especially sulfur and phosphorus, which are often in short supply. 

The Role of Sulfur in Early Stand Establishment

Ask many growers about their priorities at planting, and you’ll often hear a common theme: a strong stand. Uniform emergence and vigorous seedlings can set the foundation for yield potential. Still, this process can be undermined by overlooked factors like balanced nutrients and seed safety. Phosphorus is well-known for its impact on healthy root development, but its availability can be hindered by soil pH. We often see folks often forgetting that sulfur plays a critical role in early root development and nutrient uptake, too, but its mobility in the soil means that deficiencies can appear just when crops need it most. 

A lack of sulfur can slow emergence, weaken root systems, and reduce stand count—directly impacting final yields. Unlike nitrogen, sulfur doesn’t move through the soil profile as predictably, making placement and timing key to ensuring availability during critical growth stages. 

Seed Safety: A Profitability Factor Hiding in Plain Sight

Beyond nutrient balance, seed safety is another overlooked factor in profitability. High-salt fertilizers placed too close to the seed can damage young roots before they even have a chance to establish. Growers who push planting rates to compensate for stand loss may end up spending more on seed without seeing the return in final yields. 

That’s one of the reasons the industry is shifting toward fertilizers that provide essential nutrients without the salt index risks of traditional options. Low-salt sources of phosphorus and sulfur, like ICL PKpluS® and Polysulphate®, offer a way to deliver critical nutrients without compromising seed safety. These formulations provide a sustained release of nutrients, ensuring young crops get the support they need without early-season setbacks. 

Sulfur and Profitability: Connecting the Dots

The connection between sulfur and profitability becomes clear when looking at trial data. Sulfur-deficient crops often struggle with delayed maturity, lower nitrogen efficiency, and weaker plant structures—all of which contribute to yield penalties at harvest. Research consistently shows that adding the right sulfur source at the right time can increase grain protein content, boost starch accumulation in tubers, and improve overall crop resilience. 

Yet, sulfur isn’t treated with the same urgency as nitrogen or potassium. With declining atmospheric deposition and increased crop demand, growers who proactively manage sulfur will have a competitive edge in both yield and quality. 

A Proactive Approach to Sulfur Management

Instead of reacting to deficiencies mid-season, the key is integrating sulfate-based fertilizers at planting. Polyhalite-based fertilizers, like ICL PKpluS® and Polysulphate® provide a gradual, season-long supply of sulfur along with phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—ensuring crops have a steady nutrient flow without the risks associated with high-salt fertilizers. This translates to better emergence, improved stand counts, and ultimately, higher profitability. 

What are the Nutrient Efficiency and Yield Benefits of Polysulphate products?

Field trials have demonstrated significant advantages of  Polysulphate®, including: 

• Gradual release of nutrients and less leaching potential 

• Improved root growth and water uptake due to enhanced calcium and phosphorus availability 

• Improved Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE), including improved uptake of essential nutrients 

A unique advantage of these fertilizers is their ability to support balanced nutrition, ensuring optimal nitrogen-to-sulfur ratios, which leads to better crop development and higher yields. 

Sustainability and Environmental Benefits

Both Polysulphate® and PKpluS® offer environmental advantages, including: 

• Low Carbon Footprint: As a naturally mined mineral, Polysulphate® has minimal processing requirements. 

• Reduced Nutrient Loss: Gradual release minimizes leaching and runoff. 

• Conventional Compatibility: Environmentally friendly while delivering high performance in conventional farming. 

A Safe Bet for Your Bottom Line

By integrating Polysulphate® and ICL PKpluS® into a fertility program, farmers can often optimize nutrient use efficiency, enhance seed safety, and achieve higher yields, which means improving profitability. Whether managing phosphorus limitations, sulfur deficiencies or seeking a more sustainable fertilization strategy, these solutions offer unmatched agronomic and economic benefits. 

For more information on incorporating ICL PKpluS® and Polysulphate® into your nutrient management plan, contact an ICL expert or your local agronomist.