By Andi Anderson
New soybean research led by Dr. Rafiq Islam at The Ohio State University reveals that using sulfur fertilization and small amounts of salicylic acid (SA) can significantly improve soybean yields and quality, especially in challenging growing conditions.
Soybeans, grown on nearly 86.5 million U.S. acres, have seen flat yield growth due to stress from drought, heat, and flooding.
SA, also known as a fulvic acid, helps crops handle stress by improving water regulation, protein-building amino acids, and reducing water loss.
It can increase soybean yields by 8% to 46%, while sulfur fertilization alone boosted yields up to 53%. Both treatments improved stress resilience, with sulfur helping nitrogen fixation and protein formation, especially in sulfur-deficient soils.
The study also found increases in key amino acids. Sulfur improved taurine levels by 20%, and SA raised tryptophan, valine, and taurine by up to 17%. These amino acids are essential for plant health and growth.
Sulfur and SA also affected soybean oil quality. In dry conditions, they increased crude fat by 2.5%, vaccenic acid by 1.3% (known for health benefits), and oleic acid by 1%, which supports heart and brain health. In wet soils, palmitoleic acid increased, offering added skin and heart benefits.
Researchers recommend applying 30 lbs. of sulfur per acre and 0.02 M SA solution (20g per litre of water). These sustainable methods support both yield and environmental health.
Separately, structured or ionized water is gaining attention. It’s more easily absorbed by plants due to lower surface tension and a smaller molecular structure.
It also reduces water use by 20–30%, improves root growth, and boosts germination. Ionized water can be made using a vortex or magnets and is available for farm and garden use.
Together, these innovations provide promising solutions for more resilient and productive soybean farming.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-alexeyrumyantsev
Categories: Ohio, Crops, Soybeans