Malate Sulphate Test
What is it?
The test measures the amount of malate and sulphate in the plant tissue. Malate is an organic acid that accumulates in plant cells. When there is more malate than sulphate in a plant it is Sulphur deficient. The Malate:Sulphate test was developed at Rothamsted Research from HGCA funded research.
The test can be used in cereal, oilseed rape crops as well and grass crops.
Is it useful?
When the N:S ratio in wheat grain was used to measure Sulphur deficiency on average 13% of the samples were mis-diagnosed as being Sulphur sufficient. As a result yield loss would have occurred. For the same samples only 4% were misdiagnosed using the Malate:Sulphate test.
It is also an easier test to perform than N:S ratio and it works earlier in the season. Fewer mistakes and farmers have the chance to take corrective action.
But everyone applies Sulphur nowadays, don't they?
In a recent grass sample survey GrowHow discovered that 75% of the samples were Sulphur deficient. And Silage was one of the first crops shown t be Sulphur responsive.
The Malate:Sulphate test is available from your local GrowHow Adviser, Agronomist or click HERE for more information.
