GYPSUM BENEFITS

BENEFITS OF GYPSUM(जिप्सम के फायदे )

Adds sulfur

GYPSUM POWDER or calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4 2H2O) is an excellent source of sulfur.

GYPSUM POWDER brand gypsum adds sulfur to the soil and it provides highly available calcium that moves deep into the soil profile, a recognized advantage for no-tillers.
Typical Analysis
Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate
(dry weight basis)
Calcium  17-20 %
Sulfur     13-16 %
Researchers in Wisconsin, Ohio and other Midwestern states are reporting sulfur deficiency is on the rise.  A recent annual summary by the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) also suggests that soil tests with low sulfur results are becoming more common in the Cornbelt today versus five years ago.
It used to be that soils got plenty of sulfur from the atmosphere. Electrical plants that burned coal released sulfur into the air and every time it rained, nearby farmland was fertilized with free sulfur.  Also, some nitrogen fertilizers contained excess sulfur so fields got a dose of sulfur with those applications.  With the advent of flue gas desulfurization and greener fertilizers, along with the fact that many of today’s crop genetics may have a higher sulfur requirement, sulfur deficiency is more common.
Gypsum, used as a sulfur source, raises yields in a variety of crops including corn, alfalfa, cotton, soybeans and others.
Studies at the Ohio State University have demonstrated a significant corn response to gypsum.  In one particular study, where gypsum supplied sulfur at a rate of 30 lbs/acre, corn yield was increased from 182 to 193 bushels/acre.

Increases water infiltration

Soils will soak up rainwater faster and deeper, even in heavy rains.  Growers often see improved water infiltration - with less ponding and runoff - after just one application of GYPSUM POWDER.

GYPSUM POWDER increases soil permeability to water.  Soils will soak up rainwater faster and deeper, even in heavy rains.  Growers often see improved water infiltration after just one application. Research trials have shown results to support these observations.  A USDA-ARS study measured water infiltration of nearly two inches per hour in a test plot where gypsum was applied versus just a half an inch per hour in a control plot where no gypsum was applied.

Calcium (% Base Saturation)     USDA-ARS  National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory

Improves soil structure

GYPSUM POWDER helps improve soil structure by increasing soil particle aggregation.  With GYPSUM POWDER, soils become softer, more porous and flocculated. 

Improves aggregation, reduces crusting and compaction

GYPSUM POWDER helps improve soil structure by increasing soil particle aggregation.  With GYPSUM POWDER, soils become softer, more porous and flocculated.  The resulting mellow, garden-like soil resists erosion, compaction and crusting.

Air and water percolates through the soil profile easier when soils are well-flocculated.  Because GYPSUM POWDER is water soluble, it works deep into the soil profile so plant roots penetrate downward faster and deeper.  This promotes better plant stands, drought resistance and a healthier crop.
One of the first things GYPSUM POWDER users experience is how much easier equipment pulls through the field.  The soil is looser, yet soft and firm. It is sometimes possible to drive at a higher gear when working the ground.
Growers also notice after applications of GYPSUM POWDER how easy it is to push a soil probe into the profile.  Soil is softer and looser making it easier for the probe to slide into the earth.

Decreases erosion

Erosion is a huge cost to productivity and it can contribute to reduced water quality, malfunction of drainage and hydrological systems.  GYPSUM POWDER decreases soil loss.

Crop growers know they must protect the soil in their fields.  Erosion is a huge cost to productivity and it can contribute to reduced water quality and malfunction of drainage and hydrological systems.  Loss of sediment is the number one source of pollution in water, according to USDA Agricultural Research Service soil scientist Darrell Norton.
Dr. Norton has done extensive evaluations of gypsum’s impact on soil erosion, nutrient runoff, sediment loading, water infiltration and surface cracking.   He found in a series of rainfall simulator experiments that soil loss is reduced by more than 50 percent when gypsum is applied at a rate of one ton per acre. Gypsum prevents soil particles from detaching during rainfall events and being lost in surface water runoff.

Saves nutrients

By decreasing erosion and runoff GYPSUM POWDER also reduces nutrient loss.   Research have also shown gypsum applications are effective in reducing the total soluble phosphorus in topsoil.

Soils that are prone to runoff and erosion are also prone to losing nutrients.  This not only poses a risk to the environment, it has a significant detrimental economic impact to crop producers.  The USDA-ARS has shown that applying gypsum can help reduce total soluble phosphorus in topsoil.

Research in other states such as Wisconsin also suggest that soluble phosphorus levels are reduced with gypsum.

Soluble phosphorus decreased with higher rates of gypsum (0, .5, 1 and 2) in this study conducted in 2010 by the University of Wisconsin (Wolkowski et al.)

Fosters healthy soil biology

By loosening soil and improving water and air movement, GYPSUM POWDER creates a much friendlier, deeper environment for soil organisms - microbes as well as earthworms. 

By loosening soil and improving water and air movement, GYPSUM POWDER creates a much friendlier, deeper environment for soil organisms - microbes as well as earthworms.  These soil organisms break down organic matter and nutrients in the soil.
Healthy soil biology builds humus, often called the “life force” in soils.  It is created by soil biology that is alive and actively at work to decompose and stabilize organic matter. When you see humus present in the soil profile, it is a good indication that soil biology is active and working.
Soil biology also helps builds soil structure by excreting the natural glues called glomulins that continually aggregate and stabilize soils.
Tight soils prevent the soil biology from getting the proper amount of oxygen and moisture they need to break down residue and release nutrients into the soil from the parent material.
Soils are composed primarily of millions of tons of minerals. This bank of reserve nutrition must be converted from stable minerals to mobile nutrients for plant uptake. This is accomplished primarily by biological action breaking down organic residues with acids, which also convert minerals to nutrients. Billions of species of soil biology work together to bring just the right amount of nutrient into the soil profile to support plant growth and maintain the environment.

Expands roots zone

GYPSUM POWDER mitigates the aluminum barrier found in some soils, particularly where there are acid subsoils.

GYPSUM POWDER mitigates the aluminum barrier found in some soils, particularly where there are acid subsoils.  The calcium in GYPSUM POWDER can displace aluminum, a major limiting factor in crop production.  Aluminum tends to build up in acid subsoils at a depth of 12 to 18 inches, creating a barrier to crop roots.
GYPSUM POWDER improves soil particle aggregation and loosens soil which allows water and oxygen to move down into the soil profile. This encourages crop roots to grow deeper and in greater volume. This better allows them to find life-giving nutrition and oxygen throughout the entire growing season.