Polysulphate Barley Trial

27.9

Nitrogen uptake
Trial investigates the beneficial effect Polysulphate has on nutrient uptake by barley at 6 locations in the UK

North East England, UK
2021

Trail

27.9

Nitrogen uptake

Key Conclusions

Adding Polysulphate to barley’s fertiliser strategy increased uptake of nitrogen by 27.9%, phosphorus by 41%, potassium by 21%, and sulphur by 21%. Barley crop carbon content also increased by 15.5% over the control.

Objective

To evaluate the performance of Polysulphate on autumn planted barley crops.

Sulphur levels in UK soils are very low which can affect the NUE of barley. This trial examined NUE (nutrient use efficiency), exploring whether sulphur application improves nitrogen uptake over the winter period, potentially reducing field losses.

Trial Details

Trial station

North East England, UK

Crop

Maize

Product

Polysulphate®

Assessments

Nutrient uptake before the first nitrogen application in the spring, and carbon content

Treatments

Each field at the 6 different locations was split into two 6 ha plots, the control and the Polysulphate treatment. Phosphate starter fertiliser (ICL TSP) was applied to all plots. All fertilisers were applied before drilling the crop.

 

PolysulphateSO3K2OMgOCaO
kg/hakg/hakg/hakg/hakg/ha
Control00000
+Polysulphate1004814617

 

Treatments

Each field at the 6 different locations was split into two 6 ha plots, the control and the Polysulphate treatment. Phosphate starter fertiliser (ICL TSP) was applied to all plots. All fertilisers were applied before drilling the crop.

 

PolysulphateSO3K2OMgOCaO
kg/hakg/hakg/hakg/hakg/ha
Control00000
+Polysulphate1004814617

 

Results

The barley crops treated with Polysulphate showed the following responses:

  • Nitrogen uptake increased by 27.9%
  • Phosphorus uptake increased by 41%
  • 21% improvement in potassium uptake, and 21% in sulphur uptake, 2 of the nutrients provided by Polysulphate
  • An increase in carbon content of 15.5% over the control.

 

 

 

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