SULFUR DEGRADABILITY

Bentonite Clay is used to manufacture Degradable Sulfur because Elemental Sulfur is insoluble in water. Bentonite Clay particles in Sulfur Pastilles absorb water and swell to break up the sulfur nutrient into very fine particles. Maximum exposure of these tiny Sulfur particles (with very high surface area) to microbes in soil facilitates efficient oxidation into plant useable Sulfate. Therefore, our objective is complete degradation to yield a higher percentage of small Sulfur particles, for faster Sulfate availability. The following graph shows how higher Bentonite content results in more effective degradation of pastilles (more small particles pass through screens).

There are many types of Bentonite Clay with a range of different characteristics. After extensive research, Keg River selected two specific types of Bentonite for our Degradable Sulfur fertilizers that yield the best results: one that is very high-swelling, but hydrates slowly, and one that swells less, but hydrates very quickly. When exposed to water, this combination of Bentonite Clays provides excellent degradation.

Surfactants and crystal modifiers are also added to enhance degradability, making Keg River sulfurs the best available.