Why do Grassland need Sulphur?
In recent years, industrial Sulphur emissions have been reduced, meaning crops receive less sulphur from their environment. It is becoming more and more important to bring additional S to crops. The same goes for grasslands.
Sulphur in grassland can be partly supplied through the mineralization of organic matter. However, mineralization may not be enough, and a lack of S may occur. Sulphur is essential for grasslands in many aspects:
- Sulphur’s well-known synergy with N, increases N efficiency and thus increases the yield of the grassland
- Sulphur is needed for bacterial activity, which is responsible for organic matter mineralization Sulphur protects nodules from nitrate fertilisation, which leads to a reduction of N symbiotic fixation
- Sulphur is required in huge quantities by animals. The higher the sulphur content in the grass, the better it is for animals.
- Sulphur improves the quality of proteins with a higher content of methionin, which is an essential amino acid for animals.
That’s why S fertilization in grassland must not be neglected, and especially if the soil is prone to deficiencies (sandy and shallow soils, winter with heavy rainfall and runoff)
