Close Resources

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryAvoiding Excessive Sulfur Use



Avoiding Excessive Sulfur Use

Author: John Grove

Planning Unit: Plant and Soil Sciences

Major Program: Soil testing

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

I was invited by Philip Konopka to give a Zoom presentation on "Everything but N, P and K - plus CEC" to a large audience in northeastern Kentucky. One of the topics was sulfur (S) fertilization, which is controversial both as to the actual need for S and S soil testing. Several audience producers were applying S prophylactically, without regard to soil test or plant tissue analysis results. After the Zoom presentation I stayed on to answer questions and concerns. One individual in particular was insistent that his soils needed at least 25 lb S per acre per year. When asked about his soil test results, it was clear that his soil test S levels had been increased to the point that he could go several years without additional S fertilizer. I explained all this, and also noted that northeastern KY is still receiving some S via atmospheric deposition. Wasn't at all sure that he was persuaded, but Philip called me about two weeks later to say that the grower was going to reduce his S application by 50% for the next few years and would also follow up with some plant tissue analysis. Though only half a loaf, the 50% initial cut represents a significant good faith decision by this grower. His actions also persuaded several other growers to look more closely at their S fertilization rates and use plant tissue analysis along with soil testing. As plant tissue analysis is not often used by Kentucky growers, this is a win-win for all. I expect they will find other economies in their nutrient management plans as the new data come in.






Stories by John Grove


Phosphorus Fertilizer Source Returns to the Marketplace: Good Info About TSP

about 17 days ago by John Grove

I was contacted by Jonah Johnson, an agronomist with a retail coop. This past late summer, he was co... Read More


Extension Soil Erosion Article Comes to the Honors Classroom

about 17 days ago by John Grove

In September 2023, Brad Lee and I authored an article (https://www.kygrains.info/blog/2023/9/14/soil... Read More


Stories by Plant and Soil Sciences


University of Kentucky Partners with the Kentuckiana Golf Course Superintendents Association and Southeastern Turfgrass Research Center for Turfgrass Field Day

about 28 days ago by Kenneth Clayton

In early July, 60 participants from the turfgrass industry gathered for the first turfgrass field da... Read More


Grain Crop Pest Management Research has Value to Kentucky Farmers

about 1 months ago by Jason Travis

Over half a million acres impacting an estimated $7.1 million. Thats the results from a recent surve... Read More