0-0-0-90 Agricultural Sulphur 0-0-90 Agricultural Sulphur Brimstone 90 is a new modern product for soil-Sulphur replenishment that is manufactured by NEAIS within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Brimstone 90 Physical Characteristics Brimstone 90 is comprised of consistently sized 4x2mm, half bun shaped pastilles, containing 90% Sulphur. The free flowing and dust free characteristics make Brimstone 90 ideal for blending with other fertilizers. It is easy to handle, move, and store making it user-friendly in the field for application to the widest range of crops. Brimstone 90 yields finely divided Sulphur with a large surface area for rapid and effective oxidation into Sulphuric acid. The extra H (hydrogen atoms) generated neutralizes the excess of hydroxyl and bicarbonate ions causing alkalinity and reducing soil pH to levels that free up the availability of P, K, Ca, Fc, Mg, Zn and Mn that are otherwise blocked by high soil pH (alkalinity). A standard soil analysis is highly recommended to determine the amount of Brimstone 90 to apply to the soil. The soil analysis will measure the amounts of sodium and calcium/magnesium in the soil and can be easily interpreted to determine the specific amount of Brimstone 90 per hectare that is needed. Typical amounts of Brimstone 90 required for Saudi Arabian soils under center pivot irrigation for 2 or more years are from 1/2 to 3 metric tons of Sulphur per hectare. Use the Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) or Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) reported in a SOIL ANALYSIS and the following table. Note Application of more than 3600 kg of Brimstone 90 in one season is not recommended. Application would be better split into two seasons.The EPS can be calculated from the Sodium Absorption Ratio in a soil report if the ESP is not included using the following formula: ESP= 100x(-0.0126 + 0.01475xSAR) 1 +(-0.0126 + 0.01475xSAR) The Need for Sulphur in Saudi Arabian irrigated Agriculture Many of the soils now under cultivation in Saudi Arabian are highly Alkali in nature.Mostly all of the agricultural soils in Saudi Arabia are under Center Pivot irrigation. This is causing serious problems in a number of extensively irrigated areas. These soils are developing alkali characteristics in the top 3-6 inches (7.5-15cm) of the soil surface. These Alkali conditions are being created from the use of groundwater for irrigation that contains large amounts of SODIUM AND BICARBONATE SALTS. Some of these Alkali Characteristics are: 1. Poor water infiltration rate. 2. Loss of friable soil structure at soil surface. 3. Formation of hard, dense clods after plowing or harrowing. 4. Reduced salt leaching efficiency. 5. Difficult seedbed preparation. 6. Formation of hard soil surface crusts. 7. Restricted root penetration. These damaging effects come about when sodium is in greater concentrations than calcium and magnesium are removed (by bicarbonate) or sodium is added to the soil the same damaging effects will occur. For example every 333 ppm (parts per million) of sodium in each 30cm of applied irrigation water is equal to 1000kg of sodium spread over a hectare! An average wheat crop in Saudi Arabia will require 100cm of water during a growing season, so just 330 ppm of sodium in the irrigation means that approximately 3333kg of sodium, over 3 tons, has been added to the soil. The presence of bicarbonate in the irrigation water has the effect of multiplying the soil damage caused by sodium. When a normal wet-dry cycling of the soil occurs as during sprinkler irrigation with center pivots, the bicarbonate in the irrigation water will “grab” dissolved calcium and magnesium and from insoluble lime (calcium carbonate). The concentration of sodium in comparison to calcium and magnesium will then increase to even greater proportions. It is no wonder that sodium related soil problems are becoming more evident from season to season within the Kingdom. Brimstone 90 (90% Sulphur) can Solve Soil Problems Caused By Sodium And Bicarbonate Brimstone 90 simply dissolves lime (calcium carbonate) by putting much larger amounts of soluble calcium into the soil. In this way the damage from sodium and bicarbonate to the soil is reversed. Additionally, some nutrients such as phosphorous, which is less available to the crop in a calcareous soil, are slightly dissolved in the area near the sulphur particle making it easier for the planet to absorb them. Improvement of Quality & yield of Crops in Arid Conditions Sulphur is one of the essential elements for plant growth. It affects crops yield and quality by altering the soil pH and increasing the phosphorus,manganese and micro nutrient availability. A three-year field experiment was conducted at the Agriculture Research Center in Iraq that was aimed at evaluating the effect of sulphur applications on the yield of Barley. It was found that the yield of barley was increased by sulphur fertilizer treatment. The use of sulphur and phosphorous, at certain ratios, gave the best response. The yield of Alfalfa was doubled in the third year of the experiment by using sulphur fertilizer treatment, and tripled when a mixture of sulphur and phosphorus was used. In almost all studies sulphur was found to have a positive effect on the growth of plants. This benefit is achieved through lowering the soil pH and increasing the availability of phosphorus, manganese and micronutrients. In all such studies it was found that the crop yield increased and the quality of the crops improved as well.