Sulfur deficiency in wheat (left). Photo credit: Montana State University
Among the macronutrients, sulfur (S) doesn’t get a lot of attention. Before coal-fired power plants were forced to clean up their emissions, atmospheric deposition of S each year far exceeded most crops’ needs in most areas. The downside of cleaner air is increasing occurrence of S deficiencies. This can lower protein quality (see graph at bottom of post), bread wheat quality, and yield of many crops. It’s a downside most of us happily accept, but it does raise the issue of how to maintain adequate S levels on farms and cycle S most efficiently. Continue reading
