Risk-mapping of potential sulphur deficiency in agriculture under actual and future climate scenarios in Germany

Summary Almost 25 years ago, farmers received the plant nutrient sulphur (S) for free because clean air acts had not come into force. Desulphurisation of fumes resulted in a continuous decline of atmospheric sulphur input. In order to warrant sufficient S supply and therefore crop productivity farmers should fertilise S regularly. Sulphur in the form of sulphate is highly mobile in the soil water phase and follows the water movement. Its deficiency is therefore likely in areas with light soils and high precipitation. Oilseed rape is particularly sensitive to S deficiency and it is one of the most important crops for the production of bio-energy in Germany. The model MOPS (MOdel for Predicting Sulphur deficiency) predicts the potential S deficiency for agriculture based on soil-physical and hydrological properties. In this study it was modified and extended to a spatial scale to enable the mapping of potential S deficiency under recent and future climate scenarios in Germany. In parallel to the predicted climate change with increasing precipitation in the winter months and less during the growing season, the risk of S deficiency in agricultural crops will increase in some parts of Germany. Without additional efforts in fertilisation and crop protection, the costs of resulting yield losses for oilseed rape and wheat can increase significantly.