Since the passage of the Clean Air Act sulfate levels precipitated from the atmosphere have decreased by as much as 75%. This reduction, along with the use of more concentrated phosphate fertilizers and the reduced use of sulfur-containing crop protection chemicals, has put sulfur on the list of primary nutrients.

Sulfur is vital to a plant's growth in the production of amino acids and proteins. Low sulfur availability is related to low soil organic matter, sandy textures, low soil temperatures and erosion.

The reductions in sulfur sources, combined with crop yield responses, indicate that a significant opportunity to increase quality and yield is missed when sulfur is not added to your starter fertilizer.