As the growing season fast approaches, farmers need to prepare for the fertility needs of their crops. While soybeans may not require nitrogen like corn does, this crop has its unique nutrient requirements. In addition to phosphate and potash, soybeans also need sufficient sulfur to produce a strong, healthy crop.
Sulfur is one of the 17 essential plant nutrients that all crops require. In soybeans, sulfur is important for optimal growth during both the vegetative and reproductive stages of the plant. It is also required for nitrogen fixation. Soybeans are capable of fixing their own nitrogen from the atmosphere by forming beneficial relationships with bacteria in their root nodules. Sulfur is required for nodule formation and function. Sulfur is also an essential building block of amino acids, which are found in the protein of soybean seeds and is what determines the quality of it as an animal feed.
Most sulfur in the soil is found in organic matter. As the organic matter breaks down, a process called mineralization, releases plant-available sulfur to crops. Sulfur is also highly mobile in the soil, and heavy rainfall can cause leaching. Because of this, growers with sandy or coarse-textured soils should monitor for sulfur deficiencies. In soybeans, a sulfur deficiency manifests as pale green or yellow leaves without prominent veins or necrosis in the youngest trifoliate leaves.
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Categories: Illinois, Crops, Soybeans