Planning ahead for next year’s growth season and looking for reliable ways to boost canola crop yields as well as overcome the persistent drought conditions caused by Alberta’s increasingly hotter summers? Nutrient management is an integral part of ensuring optimal yields, especially for wheat crops which remain one of Alberta’s most important exports.
Canola, in particular, benefits from the presence of sulphur in healthy soil beds, which can often begin to dwindle due to poor environmental conditions, over-cropping, and more. Gypsum is a naturally occurring mineral containing calcium sulphate and offers a lifeline for crops as a reliable source of sulphur.
At Norstar Agriculture, we know just how important having the right soil nutrients is for your crops. We’re proud to partner with Albertan farmers to offer agronomy and soil testing services alongside a robust inventory of soil nutrient boosters like gypsum. Below, we’ll take a closer look at how gypsum helps canola crops. Read on to learn more!
The Importance of Sulphur in Canola Cultivation
Sulphur plays a critical role in the growth and development of canola plants by informing several key processes including protein synthesis, enzyme activation, chlorophyll production and more. By boosting amino acids, allowing key enzymes to work effectively, and helping to strengthen the plant by enhancing chlorophyll production, canola plants become more resilient and productive in their yield.
How Gypsum Helps
Gypsum acts as an excellent source of sulphur and calcium and offers sustained release of sulphur over multiple crop cycles opposed to other sources that tend to leach away quickly. This long-lasting release supply reduces the need for frequent replication and can help lower your overall maintenance costs season after season. Gypsum also helps with:
Soil Structure
Harsh temperatures and other environmental factors can lead to compacted soil that prevents water retention and root growth. Gypsum acts as an aggregate that helps loosen soil particles and allows plants to access vital nutrients and water resources efficiently.
Soil Salinity
Excessive evaporation caused by heat, wind, and other factors that leads to high soil salinity which can damage plant vitality and lead to poor yields. Gypsum helps to mitigate an excessive build-up of salinity by displacing sodium ions with calcium ions to promote better soil permeability and reduce salt buildup.
Enhances Nutrient Uptake
Better soil structure and balanced salinity in your fields help to ensure better nutrient uptake for canola plants as well as other crops. The calcium content in gypsum helps to boost nutrient uptake of potassium and magnesium for plants for further plant development and crop yields.
The recommended application rate of gypsum varies depending on soil conditions and crop requirements. Generally, applying gypsum at a rate of 1 to 2 tonnes per hectare can provide sufficient sulphur for multiple canola cycles. Consult with agronomists or soil specialists to determine the appropriate rate for your fields.
Partner with Norstar Agriculture for Soil Health Solutions
At Norstar Agriculture, we are committed to helping farmers achieve sustainable and productive farming practices. Our team of experts is here to support you with comprehensive soil testing services and tailored soil management solutions, including the use of gypsum. By incorporating gypsum into your soil management strategy, you can ensure a long-lasting sulphur supply for your canola crops, maximizing yields and improving crop quality.
Don’t Leave Canola Yields to Chance
Norstar Agriculture is here to help you create the best foundation for your crop yield during the active growing season, as well as during dormant and seeding periods. Alongside a large inventory of fertilizing and plant nutrition supplies(including humic acid), we offer onsite agronomy evaluation, including soil testing and more. Learn how we can help you grow by contacting our team today!
