Published March 21, 2019

Agrosystems

In-Season Application of Nitrogen and Sulfur in Winter Wheat

Jagmandeep Dhillon, Sulochana Dhital, Tyler Lynch, Bruno Figueiredo, Peter Omara, and W. R. Raun*

Core Ideas ABSTRACT

• Decreased atmospheric deposition has Decreased atmospheric S deposition in the past 20 yr has led to increased S fertilizer consumption
led to increased S consumption in winter in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Producers often apply S without any soil test information.
wheat. Experiments were conducted at Lahoma, Lake Carl Blackwell, and Perkins, OK (2011–2013) to
• Sulfur did not increase yield or grain N assess the effect of N and S applied preplant and foliar on grain yield and grain N for winter wheat.
concentration at any site. In 2011–2012, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) was applied preplant at rates of 40 and 80 kg N ha-1
• Use of recommended soil testing guides additionally; UAN and urea-triazone (NSURE) were foliar-applied at rates of 10 and 20 kg N ha-1.
are encouraged.
Sulfur was foliar-applied as gypsum (CaSO4×2H2O) at 6 kg S ha-1. In 2013, trials were altered to
apply 40 kg N ha-1 as UAN preplant, and 20 kg N ha-1 foliar-applied. Gypsum rates were adjusted
at 0, 3, and 6 kg S ha-1 preplant, and S (MAX-IN-S) at 3 and 6 kg S ha-1 was foliar-applied. Sulfur
did not increase grain yield or grain N concentration at any site. The interaction between foliar S
and N and preplant S and N was not significant. Sulfur fertilizer application is less likely to benefit
this region unless low levels of soil test S are identified before planting. Use of recommended soil-
Dep. of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma testing guides are encouraged. Although S applications are encouraged commercially, no response
State Univ., Stillwater, OK 74078. was observed in these trials, and all were on sites where soil organic carbon was low (<8.5 g kg-1),
where the possibility of seeing S deficiency was greater.
Abbreviations:ATV, all-terrain vehicle; GS, glutamine synthetase; NR, nitrate reductase; UAN, urea
ammonium nitrate.
Received 16 Oct. 2018.
Accepted 22 Jan. 2019.
*Corresponding author ([Link]@[Link]).

A dequate and timely fertilization is essential for managing small grain production sys-
tems to maximize grain yields (Raun et al., 2002). Crops have different nutritional
requirements, depending on the availability of specific limiting nutrients in the growing
environment. Based on the specific nutrient availability, some nutrients are more frequently
required than others are.
Sulfur and N are essential elements for plant growth and development, their assimilation
in plants are similar, and both are critical components in the structure of the plant enzymes
(Shewry and Tatham, 1997). Nitrogen concentrations in wheat (Triticum aestivum
L.) shoots range from 1.8 to 2.6% and 1.6 to 2.0% in grain. Sulfur concentration is much
lower, with 0.15 to 1.4% in shoots and 0.1 to 0.2% in grain (Duncan et al., 2018). For total
plant N, protein accounts for almost 80% and chlorophyll generally accounts for less than
10% (Imsande, 1998). Sulfur is a component of methionine and cysteine, two important
S-containing amino acids that account for 21 and 27% S, respectively (Jordan and Ensminger,
1959). Sulfur and N are constituents of protein and maintain a 1:15 to 1:20 (S/N) ratio. As
N and S are essential constituents of wheat protein, optimum grain yield requires an adequate
amount of both nutrients (Tea et al., 2007). Furthermore, S and N are both mobile in the
soil, and highly susceptible to leaching in high rainfall areas.
Timms et al. (1981) suggested that the balance between N and S changes and insufficient
S leads to poor grain development when the crop needs a large amount of N late in the season.
Sulfur deficiency in cereal crops was first reported in Scotland (Scott et al., 1984). The essential
role of S for plant growth was recognized much earlier (Jordan and Ensminger, 1959).

Agrosyst. Geosci. Environ. 2:180047 (2019) © 2019 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND license
doi:10.2134/age2018.10.0047 ([Link]

Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment 1 of 8

Plants experiencing a deficiency of N and S result in a similar making properties of wheat flour (Shewry and Tatham, 1997).
yellow discoloration, but S deficiency symptoms are visible in the Dough extensibility is important for manual shaping of bakery
younger leaves, unlike N that shows up in the older, lower leaves. products. Sulfur deficiency can limit dough extensibility and increase
The deficiency of these nutrients reduces the amount of chlorophyll toughness (Kettlewell et al., 1998). The formation of lower quality
inducing different mechanisms; therefore, it could be difficult proteins in S deficient situations increases the elasticity and decreases
to visually differentiate between S and N deficiencies (Imsande, the extensibility (Wrigley et al., 1984), while severe S deficiency can
1998). Reports from around the globe noted that over the last few significantly decrease the loaf volume.
decades S deficiencies has increased in areas previously sufficient in S Although the evidence of wheat responses to S exists in previous
(Scherer, 2009). The possible reasons behind the S deficiency could research in some locations of Oklahoma, current research is not
be a reduction in S fertilizer use, reduced use of fungicides/pesticides sufficient to show that S application in Oklahoma wheat is required to
containing S, and reduced industrial S emissions since 1980 (Smith increase the production and end-use quality. However, S application
et al., 2011). In many areas, the reduced S emissions have directly is being promoted among wheat growers without considering soil
decreased the atmospheric S dioxide concentrations and thereby test S levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the need for S
decreased input to crops. application along with N for winter wheat in Oklahoma, considering
The requirements of S vary for different crops. In a greenhouse the growing concerns for decreased atmospheric S. Another objective
experiment, Holford (1971) found that cereals like wheat and oat was to assess whether in-season foliar applications were better in
(Avena sativa L.) were more sensitive to S deficiency than legumes, comparison to preplant treatments.
and require more S for maximum dry matter production. The
demand for S is higher for oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) as they MATERIALS AND METHODS
use S for glucosinolate, an S-containing compound that imparts Field trials were established at two locations, Lake Carl
a pungent odor in plants of the Brassicaceae family (Zhao et al., Blackwell and Lahoma, in the fall of 2011 and 2012, and Perkins was
1993). Wheat generally requires lower quantities of S, with roughly added in 2013. Perkins is a deep sandy loam soil, low in soil organic
20 kg S ha-1 needed to produce a grain yield of 8 Mg ha-1 (McGrath matter and prone to leaching of mobile nutrients like S and N (Teller
et al., 1996). Additionally, sufficient levels of S results in maximum fine sandy loam, 1–3% slope, fine-loamy, mixed, active, thermic Udic
N response (Hu and Sparks, 1992). Argiustolls). The Lahoma location is a Grant silt loam (1–3% slope,
Zhang and Raun (2006) noted that for winter wheat and fine-silty, mixed, superactive, thermic Udic Argiustolls). At Lake Carl
other legumes in Oklahoma, an N/S ratio of 20:1 was desirable. Blackwell in 2011–2012, trials were established on Port silt loam
Shahsavani and Gholani (2008) suggested that cereal crops require (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, thermic Cumulic Haplustolls), and in
15 to 20 kg S ha-1. Deep sandy soils receiving lower amounts of S via 2013–2014 on Port–Oscar (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, thermic
precipitation together with lower S fertilizer applications may need Typic Natrustalfs) complex, both 0 to 1% slope.
additional S when cereal crops are grown. Harper (2015) studied S In 2011 and 2012, a randomized complete block experimental
content in Oklahoma rainfall for 15 yr (1927–1942). The average design with four replications and 15 treatments was used (Table 1).
amount of S was 9.8 kg ha-1. This is lower than the results from Treatments included urea ammonium nitrate (UAN; 28–0–0) at 0,
Johnson and Zhang (2003), noting that this was 22.4 kg S ha-1 40, and 80 kg N ha-1 applied preplant. Foliar application comprised
through annual precipitation. Other work by LaRuffa et al. (1999) of two sources, UAN (28–0–0) and N-Sure (28–0–0), applied at 10
showed that winter wheat studies in Oklahoma, specifically Perkins and 20 kg N ha-1, respectively. Sulfur was foliar-applied as gypsum
and Carrier, which have deep sandy soils, showed an S response where
organic C levels were low. Similar results by Khan et al. (2006) Table 1. Treatment structure in Oklahoma at Lahoma (LAH) 2011–2012
reported an S response in maize (Zea mays L.), and also on soils low and 2012–2013, and Lake Carl Blackwell (LCB), 2011–2012.
in organic matter (<1.2%). Preplant Foliar Foliar Foliar
The S requirement for canola (Brassica napus L.) is Treatment N rate† N rate N source S rate‡
understood to be higher than other crops, and research in Oklahoma –––––––––––kg ha–1 ––––––––––– kg ha–1
did not show any response between sources and rate of S for two 1 – – – –
different cultivars (HyClass 154 and DKW 47-15) over growing 2 40 – –
seasons (Barrett et al., 2012). This research was conducted at 3 40 10 UAN –
Perkins, OK, on a sandy soil where leaching could remove mobile 4 40 10 UAN 6
nutrients like N and S. 5 40 10 N-SURE –
It has been suggested that foliar-applied N and S, have 6 40 20 UAN –
synergistic effects on increasing their assimilation in grain and can 7 40 20 UAN 6
improve bread-baking qualities. Sulfur deficiency will reduce N 8 40 20 N-SURE –
absorption, affecting protein content and affecting flour quality 9 80 – – –
(Tao et al., 2018). Protein content in wheat flour was reported to 10 80 10 UAN –
be significantly affected by the activity of nitrate reductase (NR) and 11 80 10 UAN 6
glutamine synthetase (GS) (Tao et al., 2018). Sulfur fertilization 12 80 10 N-SURE –
tends to increase NR and GS activity in flag leaves, thus affecting 13 80 20 UAN –
the content of protein components (Geng et al., 2016). Sulfur 14 80 20 UAN 6
nutrition in wheat helps to improve baking quality of wheat flour 15 80 20 N-SURE –
(Thomason et al., 2001). It has been established that the disulfide † Preplant N source was UAN (28–0–0).
bond of S for wheat proteins are important for determining bread- ‡ Foliar S source was gypsum.
2 of 8 [Link]/publications/age
at 6 kg S ha-1. When diluting gypsum, it was left in water for 24 h to collected from each plot and moisture was adjusted to 12.5%. Grain
allow sufficient time to dissolve. samples were oven-dried at 75°C for 2 d and then ground using a
In the fall of 2013, trials were conducted at three locations, Thomas Wiley Laboratory mill (Thomas Scientific, Swedesboro, NJ,
Perkins, Lahoma, and Lake Carl Blackwell, OK. For the year 2013, USA) and rolled to pass a 100-μm sieve. Total grain N analysis was
trials were restructured in a randomized complete block with three determined using a LECO Truspec CN dry combustion analyzer
replications and seven treatments (Table 2). Urea ammonium (Leco Corp., St Joseph, MI, USA) (Schepers et al., 1989).
nitrate (28–0–0) was applied preplant at 0 and 40 kg N ha-1, and Data were analyzed separately for each year and location.
20 kg N ha-1 was foliar-applied. Preplant N was surface-applied using Data were analyzed using Statistical Analysis System, PC SAS v. 9.4
an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with a 3-m boom using streamer nozzles. (SAS Institute, 2004). Analysis of variance was used to determine
Gypsum was applied preplant at 0, 3, and 6 kg S ha-1 and liquid S significant effects of treatments on grain yield and grain N content.
(MAX-IN S) was foliar-applied at rates of 3 and 6 kg S ha-1. Preplant Treatment differences among specific treatment groupings were
gypsum was broadcast-applied and then incorporated. All the foliar identified using non-orthogonal-single-degree-of-freedom contrasts
material was dissolved in water to make a 1-L solution, applied at the and mean separation.
flag leaf stage, and delivered with a CO2 backpack sprayer. The use
of Tee Jet flat fan nozzles and an application pressure of 275.8 kPa RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
yielded fine spray droplets. Soil test results for the three experimental sites showed sufficient
During 2011 and 2012, composite soil samples from the surface levels of S at all three locations. On average sulfate-S was 29, 19,
(0–15 cm) were collected. Composite soil samples included 15 to 20 and 33 kg S ha-1 in 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively, at Lahoma
soil cores from the entire area. For the year 2013, soil samples were (Table 4). For LCB, this was 126 kg S ha-1 in 2011 and 24 kg S ha-1
taken before planting and after wheat harvest. Before planting, by plot in 2013. In Perkins, it was 35 kg S ha-1 in 2013. Furthermore, Soil
soil samples were collected from the surface (0–15 cm). Post-harvest nitrate N levels ranged between 4 and 33 kg N ha-1 across all site years
soil samples were taken by plot at 0- to 15- and 15- to 45-cm depths. (Table 4). Soil pH at all locations ranged from 5 to 7.7 (Table 4). Soil
All samples were oven-dried at 65°C and ground to pass through a organic C ranged from 6.4 to 8.5 g kg -1 across all locations (Table 4).
2-mm sieve. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, NO3–N, NH4–N, Also, initial soil test values showed adequate nutrient levels for all
SO4–S, P, and K. Soil pH was measured using a calomel electrode in years and locations (Table 4). The post-harvest surface (0–15 cm)
1:1 (soil/water) ratio. Nitrate N and ammonium N were measured soil samples taken in 2013–2014 showed a decreased level of sulfate-S
using 5 g of soil and 15 mL of 1.0 M KCl and shaken for 30 min. in comparison to preplant soil samples (Table 4).
Extracts were run through a Lachat Quickchem 8000 automated Analysis of variance showed that there were significant treatment
flow-injection analyzer. Analysis for SO4–S was accomplished differences in Lahoma 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 (Table 5).
by extracting the associated solution from 10 g soil and 25 mL of Lahoma grain yields ranged from 1752 to 2907 kg ha-1 in 2011–
0.008 M calcium monophosphate, shaken for 30 min, and analyzed 2012, 692 to 1501 kg ha-1 in 2012–2013, and 1709 to 2389 kg ha-1
using an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. Additionally, P in 2013–2014 (Tables 5 and 6). Lower grain yields at Lahoma in
and K were extracted using Mehlich 3 solution and quantified by a 2012–2013 were due to a dry fall, poor plant stands, and higher
Spectro ICP spectrometer. rainfall from late March to harvest (Fig. 1). Also, late spring freezes in
A vacuum planter was used for planting at a seeding rate of February and March (Table 7) possibly induced extreme stress and
100 kg ha-1. Detailed field activities information for each site year is poor root system development, which further impaired grain yield.
noted in Table 3. At maturity, wheat was harvested using a Massey In general, wheat performs well in an optimum temperature range of
Ferguson 8XP self-propelled combine. Grain subsamples were 17 to 23°C throughout an entire growing season, with a minimum

Fig. 1. Average monthly air temperature and total monthly rainfall during the 2012–2013 winter wheat growing season at Lahoma, OK (source: www.
[Link]).
Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment 3 of 8
Table 2. Treatment structure in Oklahoma at Lahoma (LAH), and Lake Carl Blackwell (LCB) and Perkins (PERK), for 2013–2014.
Treatment Preplant N rate† Foliar N rate‡ Preplant S Preplant S source Foliar S rate Foliar S source
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––kg ha–1 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– kg ha–1
1 – – – – – –
2 40 – – – – –
3 40 – – – 6 Max in S
4 40 – 6 Gypsum – –
5 40 20 6 Gypsum – –
6 40 20 – – 6 Max in S
7 40 20 3 Gypsum 3 Max in S
† Preplant N source was UAN (28–0–0).
‡ Foliar N source was UAN (28–0–0).

Table 3. Field activities for each location, 2011–2013.

2011–2012 2012–2013 2013–2014
Lake Carl Lake Carl
Field activity Blackwell Lahoma Lahoma Blackwell Lahoma Perkins
Preplant N fertilization 28 Sept. 27 Sept. 4 Oct. 10 Oct. 9 Oct. 8 Oct.
Seeding rate, kg ha–1 100 100 100 100 100 100
Planting 14 Oct. 14 Oct. 11 Oct. 24 Oct. 24 Oct. 23 Oct.
Top-dress 7 Mar. 13 Mar. 13 May 19 Mar. 20 Mar. 20 Mar.
Harvest 4 June 25 May 21 June 30 June 17 June 16 June

Table 4. Soil chemical properties determined from preplant soil samples (0–15 cm) in Oklahoma at Lahoma (LAH), for 2011, 2012, and 2013; Lake Carl
Blackwell (LCB) for 2011 and 2013; and Perkins (PERK) for 2013. Post-harvest (0–15 and 15–45 cm) at Lahoma (LAH), Lake Carl Blackwell (LCB), and Perkins
(PERK) for 2013.
Preplant Post-harvest
SO4–S¶ SO4–S¶
Location pH† Organic C NO3–N‡ NH4–N‡ K§ P§ SO4–S¶ (0–15 cm) (15–45 cm)
g kg–1 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––mg kg–1 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
LAH 2011 5.7 6.9 7 11 208 12 13
LAH 2012 5.7 7.9 4 5 300 14 8
LAH 2013 6 8.0 2 13 270 26 15 3 3
LCB 2011 7.7 7.8 5 5 129 14 56
LCB 2013 5.6 8.5 15 24 121 36 11 2 1
PERK 2013 5 6.4 3 14 136 62 16 2 1
† 1:1 soil/water ratio.
‡ 2 M KCl extracting solution.
§ Mehlich III.
¶ Inductively coupled argon plasma spectrophotometer (ICP).

Table 5. Average grain yield (GY) and grain nitrogen (GN) by treatment in Oklahoma at Lahoma (LAH) in 2011–2012 and 2012–2013, and Lake Carl Black-
well (LCB) in 2011–2012.
LAH 2011–2012 LCB 2011–2012 LAH 2012–2013
Treatments GY GN GY GN GY GN
kg ha–1 mg kg–1 kg ha–1 mg kg–1 kg ha–1 mg kg–1
1 1752 1.7 2025 1.4 692 1.9
2 1851 1.8 2603 1.5 1085 2.0
3 2100 1.8 2812 1.6 1147 2.1
4 2190 1.7 2411 1.7 1027 2.0
5 2073 1.8 2708 1.7 1144 2.0
6 1926 1.8 2851 1.7 1005 2.1
7 2072 1.8 2738 1.8 1070 2.2
8 2489 1.8 2520 1.7 1262 2.1
9 2604 1.9 2758 1.8 1364 2.1
10 2641 1.9 2343 1.6 1445 2.1
11 2907 1.9 2588 1.7 1501 2.2
12 2638 1.8 2236 1.7 1416 2.2
13 2292 1.9 3202 1.7 1027 2.3
14 2391 1.9 2497 1.9 1359 2.3
15 2701 2.0 2411 1.7 1203 2.2
Pr > F 0.0268 0.0424 0.8484 0.4512 0.0079 0.0001
SED† 332 0.08 432 0.15 182 0.06
CV‡, % 18 5 21 11 19 4
† SED, standard error of the difference between two equally replicated means.
‡ CV, coefficient of variation.
4 of 8 [Link]/publications/age
Table 6. Average grain yield (GY) and grain nitrogen (GN) for the treatment levels in Oklahoma at Lahoma (LAH), Lake Carl Blackwell (LCB), and Perkins
(PERK) in 2013–2014.
LAH LCB PERK
Treatments GY GN GY GN GY GN
kg ha–1 mg kg–1 kg ha–1 mg kg–1 kg ha–1 mg kg–1
1 1810 2.4 746 2.1 708 2.1
2 1709 2.1 1008 2.1 1080 2.1
3 1936 2.5 923 2.3 1366 2.0
4 2016 2.0 1094 2.2 1322 2.0
5 2389 2.5 948 2.2 1316 2.6
6 1725 2.4 906 2.4 1254 2.1
7 1875 2.6 1103 2.3 1331 2.1
Pr > F 0.2845 0.1088 0.1954 0.1446 0.0643 0.2285
SED† 270 0.20 91 0.10 183 0.24
CV‡, % 17 10 12 6 19 14
† SED, standard error of the difference between two equally replicated means.
‡ CV, coefficient of variation.

Table 7. Freezing days in February and March with temperature lower or and maximum temperature of 0 and 37°C, respectively, and beyond
near to 0°C for wheat growing season, 2012–2013, Lahoma, OK (source: where growth stops (Porter and Gawith, 1999). Nonetheless,
[Link]). wheat cultivars differ regarding temperature resistance over the
Month Day °C growing season. Single-degree-of-freedom-contrasts for wheat grain
Feb. 21 –2.0 yield (preplant N linear) were significant (P > 0.05) at Lahoma for
Feb. 22 –7.1 2011–2012 and 2012–2013, respectively (Table 8). These results
Feb. 23 –2.4 agree with Reneau et al. (1986), who noted a linear yield increase
Feb. 25 0.8 with N application while comparing N × S interaction, and reported
Feb. 26 –0.9 no effect on yield due to S application.
Feb. 27 –1.8 Analysis of variance showed that there were no significant
Feb. 28 –1.1 treatment differences at Lake Carl Blackwell in any of the years
Mar. 1 –1.6 (Tables 6 and 8). Average grain yields at LCB ranged from 2025 to
Mar. 24 –0.5 3202 kg ha-1 and 746 to 1103 kg ha-1 for 2011–2012 and 2013–
Mar. 25 0.0 2014, respectively (Tables 5 and 6). For 2011–2012, Lake Carl
Blackwell had more tillers and better plant stands. Also at this site,
adequate and timely rainfall was received from late March to mid-

Table 8. Single degree-of-freedom contrasts for grain yield (GY) and grain nitrogen (GN) in Oklahoma at Lahoma (LAH) in 2011–2012 and 2012–2013, and
Lake Carl Blackwell (LCB) in 2011–2012.
LAH
LAH 2011–2012 LCB 2011–2012 2012–2013
Single df contrasts GY GN GY GN GY GN
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Pr > F –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Preplant linear * ns† ns * ** **
Preplant quadratic ns ns ns ns ns ns
UAN vs. NSURE ns ns ns ns ns ns
Fol‡ 10 vs. 20 ns ns ns ns ns **
(UAN vs. NSURE) (Pre 40 vs. 80) ns ns ns ns ns ns
(Pre§ 40 vs. 80) (Fol 10 vs. 20) ns ns ns ns ns ns
(UAN vs. NSURE) (Fol 10 vs. 20) ns ns ns ns ns ns
(UAN vs. NSURE) (Pre 40 vs. 80) (Fol 10 vs. 20) ns ns ns ns ns *
S vs. none ns ns ns ns ns ns
(S vs. none) (Pre 40 vs. 80) ns ns ns ns ns ns
(S vs. none) (Fol 10 vs. 20) ns ns ns ns ns ns
(Pre 40 vs. 80) (Fol 10 vs. 20) ns ns ns ns ns ns
(S vs. none) (Pre 40 vs. 80) (Fol 10 vs. 20) ns ns ns ns ns ns
* Significant at the 0.05 level.
** Significant at the 0.01 level.
† Not significant at the 0.1 level.
‡ Foliar application.
§ Preplant application.
Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment 5 of 8
Table 9. Single degree-of-freedom contrasts for grain yield (GY) and grain nitrogen (GN) in Oklahoma for Lahoma (LAH), Lake Carl Blackwell (LCB), and
Perkins (PERK), 2013–2014.
LAH LCB PERK
Single df contrasts GY GN GY GN GY GN
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Pr > F –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Trt‡ vs. control ns† ns ** ns ** ns
N only vs. other ns ns ns ns ns ns
Pre§ N vs. Pre and ns * ns ns ns ns
Fol¶ N
S vs. none ns ns ns ns ns ns
Fol S vs. Pre S ns ns ns ns ns ns
Split vs. singles ns ns ns ns ns ns
* Significant at the 0.05 level.
** Significant at the 0.1 level.
† Not significant at the 0.1 level.
‡ Treatment.
§ Preplant application.
¶ Foliar application.

Fig. 2. Average monthly air temperatures and total monthly rainfall during the 2011–2012 winter wheat growing season at Lake Carl Blackwell (LCB) and
Lahoma (LAH), OK (source: [Link]).

Fig. 3. Average monthly air temperature and total monthly rainfall during the 2013–2014 winter wheat growing season at Lake Carl Blackwell (LCB),
Lahoma (LAH), and Perkins (PERK), OK (source: [Link]).
6 of 8 [Link]/publications/age
April (Fig. 2 and 3). Moisture demands from late March to mid- application of S fertilizer is not likely to be beneficial in this region
April can be critical for winter wheat in Oklahoma. In 2013, this unless a low level of soil S is identified through soil testing. Therefore,
location received higher rainfall in July. Due to wet/saturated fields, preplant soil sample analysis is encouraged to further guide farmers
mechanical harvest was delayed by 15 d compared with the other on decisions of whether or not to apply S. Also, S responses to a
locations. The lower yields for LCB in 2013–2014 was in part due certain extent were expected as soil organic C levels were all less than
to the continuous wet period during harvest leading to shattering 8.5 g kg-1. This becomes disconcerting, especially when commercial
losses and decreased grain weight (Table 6). It was noted with S applications are encouraged despite a lower likelihood of response.
single-degree-of-freedom-contrasts that yields were significant (P >
0.01) when treatments were compared with check plot at Lake Carl ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Blackwell (2013–2014) (Table 9). The authors thank the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station for
Similarly, no treatment differences were noted at Perkins with the support and facilities needed to complete this work and article.
analysis of variance (Table 6). However, single-degree-of-freedom-
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