As winter’s chill recedes, soil temps start turning around, and a new growing season beckons, it’s crucial to prepare your plants for optimal growth. One of the most effective strategies for this time of year is to apply a mix of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S). This combination is particularly advantageous for replacing the N & S loss over the wetter months, ensuring your pasture gets the essential nutrients they need right from the start.
Why Start with Nitrogen and Sulphur?
During winter, heavy rainfall can cause nitrates and sulphur (anions; negatively charged elements) to leach from the soil, depriving your plants of these vital nutrients. Nitrogen is essential for plant growth, promoting vigorous leaf development and chlorophyll management. Sulphur, on the other hand, is crucial for protein synthesis and enzyme function, playing a key role in converting nitrate into complete forms of protein, such as cysteine and methionine.
So What Products Should You Use?
When it comes to your sources of N and S, there are many options. Products which are blends of Nitrogen and Sulphur (typically Urea and SOA), are excellent choices for your early spring applications. By incorporating these elements into your spring fert applications, you can ensure a strong start to the growing season.
There are many blends like Ammo 30/31 & Ammo 36 sold in all popular bulk stores that are Tow and Fert compatible, but you can also combine standard Urea, and SOA in your Tow and Fert if you have it on hand already. The goal is to use what is available and cost effective to you.
Kickstarting Growth By Adding Gibberellic Acid To Your Mix.
For those considering using gibberellic acid in conjunction with your nitrogen products. Gibberellic acid is a plant growth regulator, that promotes cell elongation and division, accelerating plant growth. When used with nitrogen, it can help your plants “hit the ground running” earlier in the spring, leading to quicker establishment and enhanced growth. This can be used in your Tow and Fert in the same pass as your N and S.
What about the biology?
As the process of photosynthesis slows while plants conserve energy over winter due to less favourable conditions, the flow of sugars produced and sent to the roots is also slowed. The biology in the soil feed off these sugars in exchange for mobilising and making nutrients available to the roots. Coming into spring while the plant is still in a low functioning state, you can bridge a gap, adding a source of sugar like Molasses to your Spring fert mix to stimulate the soil biology before the grass “wakes up”.
Ready for Spring?
As you prepare for the new growing season, remember that nitrogen and sulphur can be powerful allies in your spring fert strategy. Products like Ammo30 and Ammo36 provide a convenient and effective way to deliver these essential nutrients to your plants. And for those seeking an extra boost, incorporating gibberellic acid with your nitrogen application can help you achieve earlier growth results. Embrace these strategies to ensure a thriving, productive season ahead!
Tow and Fert Tip:
In the Tow and Fert, products like Ammo36 can be treated just like dissolving Urea. Truth is, it is slightly slower to dissolve compared to just Urea, but still remains time efficient and convenient with a maximum mix ratio of 2 parts water to 1 part Ammo36. Don’t forget you can add trace elements all in the one pass, so read your herbage tests and add any nutrient requirements into the one pass.