Sulfur Fertilization of Canola (Brassica napus) with Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum: An Assessment Study

Abstract

Flue gas desulfurization gypsum, a coal combustion byproduct, may be a viable sulfur source for dryland canola. The objectives of the authors in this research were to evaluate the potential of using flue gas desulfurization gypsum as a sulfur fertilizer source, and also to determine the environmental impact of adding flue gas desulfurization gypsum to soil. Flue gas desulfurization gypsum and ammonium sulfate were applied at comparable rates to canola to two soils in 2008 and one soil in 2009. In 2008 both flue gas desulfurization gypsum and ammonium sulfate supplied adequate amounts of sulfur to the plants and in 2009, canola yields were more variable and depended significantly on sulfur rate, but not on sulfur source. Overall, soil quality was not negatively impacted by the addition of flue gas desulfurization gypsum and although none of the power plants in the northern Great Plains currently produces flue gas desulfurization gypsum, finding agricultural uses for this byproduct is an important step in determining its usefulness in this area.

Keywords:

• Byproducts
• fertilizers
• sulfur

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to give special thanks to Kevin Horsager, David Kost, and Deepti Annam for their assistance. We would also like to thank the Electric Power Research Institute and Great River Energy for providing partial funding for this project.