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As single superphosphate availability decreases due to closure of aging manufacturing plants increasing attention is being paid to alternative phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) sources. This glasshouse study, conducted under non-leaching conditions was undertaken to evaluate the S supplying capacity of gypsum, S bentonite, elemental S (ES) and a range of P containing fertilizers and those where ES was added as a coating or incorporated. The magnitude of crop response in terms of shoot biomass to applied S fertilizer sources followed the order of sulfates > powdered ES > coated/incorporated ES > S/ bentonite. These results indicate that fertilizers containing a mixture of sulfate and micronized ES (<75 μm), either incorporated within the granule or coated onto the fertilizer are agronomically effective. The results also suggest that local S coating of finished fertilizers is a feasible alternative to S incorporation undertaken at a central fertilizer plant. |
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