Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Sulfur Emerges As A Nutritional Issue In Iowa Alfalfa Production, John E. Sawyer, Brian J. Lang, Daniel W. Barker

John E. Sawyer

Sulfur is often classified as a “secondary” essential element, mainly due to a smaller plant requirement, but also because it is less frequently applied as a fertilizer compared to N, P, and K. This has certainly been the case in Iowa, where research had not documented S deficiency or fertilization need for optimal crop production. However, if deficient, S can have a dramatic effect on plant growth and crop productivity – more than the classification “secondary” would imply.