High prices and drought: how can sulfur help?

It is clear that we are dealing with higher nitrogen prices. In addition, the spring is proving relatively dry, which is unfavorable for mineral uptake. Nitrogen fertilization in winter wheat and grass therefore requires extra attention. The central question is: how do you make the best possible use of every kilo of nitrogen?

The answer is sulfur in the form of sulfate. Read below why and how you can request a quote via Yara Benelux with a cashback promotion.

The key role of sulfate
Sulfur plays a key role as a catalyst for nitrogen efficiency in plants. Without sufficient sulfur, a plant cannot optimally convert absorbed nitrogen into proteins, leading to an accumulation of nitrate and an inhibition of growth.

In spring, the availability of sulfur to the plant often leaves much to be desired. Due to low soil temperatures, sulfur mineralization has not yet fully started. Drought inhibits this process even further. The consequence is that while sufficient nitrogen and sulfur may be present in the soil (for example, through the application of organic fertilizer or supplementary synthetic fertilizer), the plant can only absorb it to a limited extent due to a lack of plant-available sulfur. In other words: less nitrogen is absorbed than the plant needs.

By supplying sulfur in sulfate form, the plant can absorb nitrogen more efficiently. Sulfate is the directly plant-available form of sulfur and plays a key role in efficient nitrogen uptake and protein formation in the plant. The 'investment' in nitrogen is thus optimally utilized, even under dry conditions. YaraBela Axan, with 27% nitrogen and 9,3% SO₃, combines ammonium nitrate nitrogen with sulfur in sulfate form in a single granule, thereby aligning well with the needs of winter wheat and grassland, among others.

Third crop rotation in winter wheat: focusing on protein and quality
The third nitrogen application in winter wheat, around BBCH 39–49, is a key moment. By then, the crop has already formed substantial leaf mass, and the focus shifts towards grain filling and protein synthesis. It is precisely during this phase that it is important that the applied nitrogen is efficiently absorbed and utilized.

YaraBela Axan contains nitrogen in the form of ammonium nitrate. This ensures rapid availability while also providing a longer residual effect. The added sulfur supports the formation of sulfur-containing amino acids. These amino acids are essential for protein synthesis in the plant. An additional benefit of YaraBela Axan is its uniform composition. Each granule contains nitrogen and sulfur in the same ratio. This contributes to an even distribution across the field, resulting in a more uniform crop and consistent quality. YaraBela Axan contains the same amount of nitrogen as KAS, but the addition of sulfur makes more of that nitrogen available to the plant.

Second cut grassland: readily available sulfur at the right time
Sulfur also plays an important role in grassland. After the first cut, a significant portion of the plant-available sulfur has already been absorbed. At the same time, the grass often continues to grow rapidly towards the second cut, resulting in a high demand for readily available nutrients.

Moreover, in a dry spring, the release of sulfur from organic matter and slurry can proceed more slowly. Sulfur supplied via mineral fertilization in sulfate form is available to the plant more quickly. As a result, YaraBela Axan aligns well with the requirements of the second and subsequent cut(s). Sufficient sulfur supports the uptake and conversion of nitrogen in the grass. This can contribute to more crude protein per kilo of dry matter and to a better balance between yield and feed value.

Temporary cashback promotion for YaraBela Axan
For the upcoming donation, dairy farmers and arable farmers can request a quote for YaraBela Axan and other YaraBela fertilizers via Yara Benelux. Subsequently, as with previous Yara promotions, there is once again the option to apply for cashback. This makes YaraBela Axan an attractive choice not only from an agronomic perspective but also economically. The promotion is temporary and valid while stocks last.

Request a quote via: yara.nl/offerte