Barley Trial with Polysulphate

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 fertilizer strategy increased uptake of nitrogen by 27.9%, phosphorus by 41%, potassium by 21%, and sulfur 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.

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

Trial Details

Trial station

North East England, UK

Crop

Barley

Product

Polysulphate Granular

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 fertilizer (ICL TSP) was applied to all plots. All fertilizers 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 fertilizer (ICL TSP) was applied to all plots. All fertilizers 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 sulfur uptake, 2 of the nutrients provided by Polysulphate
  • An increase in carbon content of 15.5% over the control.

 

Polysulphate increased nitrogen (N) uptake by an average of 27.9% across the trials

Polysulphate increased nitrogen uptake by an average of 27.9% across the trial plots.

 

 

Polysulphate increased phosphorus (P) uptake by an average of 41% across the trial plots.

Polysulphate increased phosphorus uptake by an average of 41% across the trial plots.

 

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5.4

Yield Increase