Agricultural sulphur: why is its use as a soil amendment recommended for potato crops?

Agricultural sulphur: why is its use as a soil amendment recommended for potato crops?

The application of elemental sulphur-based amendments to agricultural soil delivers excellent results in reducing soil alkalinity and salinity.

AFESOL, with 90% elemental sulphur in its composition, stands out for its small sulphur particle size and its rapid breakdown and incorporation into the soil.

Furthermore, indirectly, lowering soil alkalinity has a very positive effect on reducing the risk of potato scab, as it proliferates more easily in environments with a pH above 5.2.

When establishing the best conditions for optimal development of potato crops, it is important to consider that different potato varieties grow best in neutral or moderately acidic soils, ideally with a pH between 4.8 and 6.5.

In this regard, the use of soil amendments or conditioners before planting is an ideal solution for reducing soil alkalinity. Among these amendments is [AFESOL], which contains 90% elemental sulphur and is characterised by its small sulphur particle size, its main competitive advantage over other amendments available on the market.

In AFESOL, the sulphur is mixed with clay, forming a compact, semi-spherical granule that readily disintegrates when it absorbs moisture, ensuring the rapid breakdown and incorporation of sulphur into the soil. Thanks to its semi-spherical, lentil-like shape, measuring between 2 and 5 mm in diameter, AFESOL can be applied using conventional fertiliser spreaders, making the application process easier for farmers.

Likewise, a moderate and long-lasting reduction in soil pH considerably increases the availability of macronutrients, such as phosphorus (P), while helping to unlock the plant's natural ability to absorb micronutrients, including iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn).

Field trials conducted by AFEPASA have also shown that applying AFESOL can deliver measurable results in terms of increased yield, reaching up to 5%, thanks to the maintenance of favourable soil conditions throughout the crop cycle. This soil improvement process also indirectly contributes to a significant reduction in the risk of potato scab (Streptomyces scabies).

This is because the presence of bacteria of the genus Streptomyces is closely associated with agricultural soils with a pH above 5.2. Therefore, conditioning the soil through the use of elemental sulphur provides an additional “indirect defence” against this threat, with reductions in its incidence of up to 95% being observed.

In short, if you detect high alkalinity in your agricultural soil, AFEPASA recommends complementing your soil fertilisation practices with a sulphur amendment that helps reduce pH and salinity, allowing you to make the most of your land in a natural, ecological and sustainable way.