Pasture fertilisation with sulfur enhanced fertilizer

Abstract

An evaluation of a Sulfur Enhanced Fertilizer (Thiogro) fertilizer (MAP12) was undertaken on a native pasture oversown with clover near Armidale, NSW, Australia from August 2007 to November 2008. Fertilizers (Single superphosphate (SSP), mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP), pastille DAPS (pastille) and Sulfur enhanced mono-ammonium phosphate 12 (MAP12)) were top dressed onto the sward and four harvests taken over the period. SSP and MAP12 produced higher clover yields than MAP and pastille DAPS. MAP12 was superior to SSP, particularly at the later harvests. This is an important result as clover growth is essential in the pasture both to contribute fixed N and for animal protein. Addition of S fertilizers increased the uptake of S in all treatments, except pastille DAPS. Highest uptake was with MAP12. Calculation of apparent fertilizer recovery (S uptake in S treatment - S uptake in MAP treatment)/ S applied) showed a recovery of 16% from SSP, 32% from MAP12 and no recovery from DAP pastille. The increased yield resulting from S application resulted in an increase in the apparent recovery of fertilizer P.