INTERACTION EFFECT OF POTASSIUM AND SULFUR FERTILIZATION ON PRODUCTIVITY AND MINERAL NUTRITION OF SUNNHEMP

The interactive effect of potassium (K) and sulfur (S) fertilization on productivity and mineral nutrition of sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) was evaluated in a field experiment during 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons at Uttar Pradesh, India. Potassium and sulfur fertilizers increased fiber yield and nutrient uptake of sunnhemp. It was observed that an application of K and S at 40 kg ha^?1 each significantly increased the total dry matter, fiber yield, and nutrient uptake of sunnhemp. The crop yield response to the added S was greater than for K and the nutrient use efficiency was also higher at lower levels of fertilizer addition. The increased levels of K and S improved the number of nodules and crude protein content of sunnhemp leaves.     

Sulfur Alleviates Growth Inhibition and Oxidative Stress Caused by Cadmium Toxicity in Rice

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of sulfur (S) on growth inhibition and oxidative stress caused by Cd²⁺ toxicity, using two rice cultivars with different grain Cd²⁺ content. Treatments consisted of factorial arrangement of three S levels (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mmol), two cadmium (Cd) levels (0 and 1 μ mol), and two rice cultivars (‘Bing 97252,’ a cultivar with low grain Cd²⁺ content, and ‘Xiushui 63,’ a cultivar with high grain Cd²⁺ content). The results showed that Cd²⁺ addition in the medium generally increased Cd²⁺ and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in both roots and shoots; the increases were more pronounced in ‘Xuishui 63’ than in ‘Bing 97252.’ Dramatic reductions in growth parameters, including plant height, root and shoot weight, tillers per plant, chlorophyll content, and net photosynthetic rate were found in the plants exposed to Cd stress relative to the plants without Cd²⁺ treatment. ‘Xiushui 63’ showed more sensitivity than ‘Bing 97252’ under Cd²⁺ exposure. In comparison with the lower S level (0.2 mmol), the higher S levels (0.4 and 0.6 mmol) helped alleviate Cd toxicity, characterized by a significant increase in growth parameters, and a decrease in Cd²⁺ and MDA content in both roots and shoots. In addition, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the plants varied among tissues, cultivars, and Cd treatments. High Cd²⁺ and MDA content was consistently accompanied by higher SOD activity, and higher S levels caused a marked increase in glutathione content and a reduction in SOD activity, indicating a positive effect of S in alleviating oxidative stress.     

Significant Nitrogen by Sulfur Interactions Occurred for Canola Grain Production and Oil Concentration in Grain on Sandy Soils in the Mediterranean-Type Climate of Southwestern Australia

The nitrogen (N) by sulfur (S) interaction for canola (Brassica napus L.) grain production and oil concentration in grain has been quantified in temperate climates, but it is not known if these results also apply to sandy soils common in the Mediterranean-type climate of southwestern Australia where canola is now a major crop. Seventeen field experiments were undertaken with canola in the region during 1994 to 2005 in which 4 rates of both N (0–138 kg N/ha) and S (0–34 kg S/ha) were applied. Significant grain yield responses to applied N occurred in all experiments and the responses increased as more S was applied. Grain yield responses to applied S only occurred when N was applied and tended to increase as more N was applied. When no S was applied the two largest rates of N applied, 69 and 138 kg N/ha, induced S deficiency reducing grain yields. The oil concentration in grain tended to decrease as more N was applied and increased as more S was applied, particularly when the two largest rates of N were applied. Consequently significant N × S interactions were obtained in all experiments for grain production and in 15 experiments for oil concentration in grain.     

Interactions Between Sulfur and Selenium Uptake by Corn in Solution Culture

Interactions between sulfur (S) and selenium (Se) uptake and accumulation in corn (Zea mays) plants were investigated in solution culture. Two concentrations (5 and 10 μ M) of Se (as selenate) and three concentrations of S (as sulfate) (0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 mM) were used. Results showed that shoot and root biomass were affected significantly by different S concentrations in solution, but not affected by Se application when S concentrations in solution were lower than 1.5 mM. Selenium concentrations as well as Se accumulation in shoots and roots on a dry weight basis increased dramatically with increasing Se concentrations in solution. At a constant Se level, increasing S in solution reduced Se concentrations. Selenium accumulation in plants was not affected by S application, except in nutrient solution with Se at a concentration of 10 μ M. Sulfur concentrations and S accumulation in shoots increased significantly with increasing Se concentrations in solution, while those in roots were unaffected by Se addition. Solution-to-shoot transfer factors and shoot-root distribution coefficients of Se and S were also discussed. These data suggest that it is necessary to manage carefully both S and Se levels in solution or in soils for supplementation of Se in plants. Results from this study indicate that human Se nutrition can be improved by supplementation of Se in crops.     

SOURCES OF SULFUR FOR DRY MATTER,SEED YIELD,AND OIL CONCENTRATION OF CANOLA GROWN IN SULFUR DEFICIENT SOILS OF SOUTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Leaching of sulfur (S) on sandy soils may limit the effectiveness of S fertilizers especially when applied at sowing. The effectiveness of S sources for canola (oil seed rape, Brassica napus L.) grown in sandy low S soils of south-western Australia is not known. This study was completed to determine the relative effectiveness of gypsum and a gypsum-based by-product from synthetic rutile processing called Canola Blue for canola grown in low S soils of the region. Canola Blue is a mixture of gypsum and elemental S, and is granulated so its effectiveness may vary from gypsum. We measured the effectiveness of the two S sources in the glasshouse for young seedling growth and for minimizing S leaching. In the four field experiments, the two S sources were evaluated for relative effects on canola seed yield and the concentration of oil in seed. Canola Blue applied at sowing was as effective as gypsum for canola growth in the glasshouse and when applied at 35 days after sowing (DAS) was as effective as gypsum for seed yield in the field. For the glasshouse study, Canola Blue when applied to the soil surface (topdressed) at 35 DAS was as effective as gypsum in achieving a rapid recovery of leaves from S deficiency symptoms and of shoot growth. Where S deficiency appears during the growing season, topdressing with Canola Blue appears to be as effective under the conditions of this experiment as was gypsum. However, the S in Canola Blue was less prone to leaching than that applied as gypsum.     

INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN AND SULFUR ON YIELD AND SEED QUALITY OF THREE CANOLA CULTIVARS

In order to investigate the effect of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) fertilizers on yield and seed quality of three canola cultivars, a factorial based on randomized complete block experiment was conducted during 2005–2006 in Iran. Treatments included four nitrogen rates (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha^?1 source of urea), four sulfur rates (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg S ha^?1), and three cultivars (‘Pf’, ‘Option-500’, and ‘Hyola-401’). Results indicated cultivar had a significant effect on all studied traits. ‘Option-500’ and ‘Hyola-401’ cultivars had the highest seed yield, protein content, and N:S ratio in seed. The levels of 150 and 220 kg N ha^?1 resulted in the maximum protein content. Increasing N levels resulted in N content and decreased the oil content. The interaction effect between S and N levels showed the highest N content in seed was obtained with 300 kg S ha^?1 and 225 kg N ha^?1.     

Alfalfa Responses to Combined Use of Lime and Limiting Nutrients on an Acidic Soil

An on-farm field experiment was conducted on an acidic soil to investigate the effects of combined use of lime and deficient nutrients on herbage yield of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Omitting lime and limiting nutrients led to elevated concentrations of aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in alfalfa leaves and stems and caused severe reductions in herbage yield of alfalfa. Combined use of lime (2 t ha^?1) and nutrients [phosphorus (P): 20 kg ha^?1, sulfur (S): 20 kg ha^?1, zinc (Zn): 4 kg ha^?1, and boron (B): 2 kg ha^?1] had the maximum increase in groundcover, root biomass, nodulation, leaf retention, leaf-to-stem ratio, herbage yield, crude protein, and nutrient composition of alfalfa. These beneficial effects were due to raised soil pH; improved calcium (Ca), P, S, Zn, and B nutrition; and reduced Al, Mn, and Fe toxicity. Aluminium and all the nutrients except copper (Cu) were more concentrated in alfalfa leaves than stems.

Aluminum concentration was about three times greater in the lower leaves than in upper leaves. Lower leaves also had much greater concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, and B compared with upper leaves. In contrast, P and Zn concentrations were greater in the upper leaves than in lower leaves. Results suggest that the combined use of lime and all the limiting nutrients may realize potential beneficial effects of alfalfa on acidic soils where more than one essential nutrient is deficient. This may increase growth potential, nitrogen contributions, and groundcover by alfalfa and reduce soil erosion and runoff.     

An automated turbidimetric method for total sulfur in plant tissue and sulfate sulfur in soils

Abstract

An automated turbidimetric method has been developed for the rapid and accurate determination of sulfate. The method is practical and useful for accurately measuring total sulfur in plant tissues, and extractable sulfate in soils. The principle of intermittent reagent addition is used which eliminates drift and sensitivity changes caused by coating of BaSO₄ on tubing and cell walls. Also, the appropriate chemistry is used to minimize interactions of the wash with the sample at a sampling rate of 30/H. The sensitivity of the method is excellent with a working range of 0 to 15 ppm sulfur for soils. For plant digests the sample solutions are diluted to 0–35 ppm S. The precision as determined by repeated analysis of a soil sample extract was 0.58% RSD with a mean of 9.26 pg/g extractable SO⁼ ₄‐S. On another soil sample using a different extractant and extraction procedure the RSD was 0.64%, mean of 9.26 μg/g. Multiple automated sulfur analyses on a plant tissue digest resulted in an RSD of 0.41% for a sample containing 0.21% S. The automated turbidimetric method for sulfate has excellent precision and sensitivity in plant tissue and soil analyses where gravimetric BaSO₄ assays are not practical.     

Nitrogen and Sulfur Effects on Macro- and Micronutrient Contents in Canola (Brassica napus L.) Grown on Acidic Soils of the Western Cape Province of South Africa

Soil pH and nutrient contents influence the uptake and utilization of nutrients required for plant growth. Soil characteristics in the canola-growing areas of the Western Cape Province of South Africa are often very variable. Hence, the major aim of this research was to determine the effects of soil and climatic differences as experienced at different localities on macro- and micronutrient contents and uptake in canola plants fertilized with different nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) application rates. Plants fertilized with 0, 15, and 30 kg S ha^?1 in combination with N rates of 0 and 90 kg ha^?1 were sampled at 90 days after planting (DAP) (flowering stage) at Altona, Elsenburg, Langgewens, Roodebloem, and Welgevallen localities in the Western Cape during 2009 2010, and 2011. Nutrient content in canola plants were affected by locality and interactions between locality and N application rates. Sulfur content within the plants remained less than the sufficient quantity of 0.5%, and a dilution effect on elemental concentration in canola especially at greater N rates (plus lack of sufficient S) is apparently evident from the results. The results also reveal that canola S application should match S adsorption capacity of the low pH soils of the Western Cape.     

Integrated Plant Genetic and Balanced Nutrient Management Enhances Crop and Water Productivity of Rainfed Production Systems in Rajasthan,India

Analysis of soils from 421 farmers’ fields in eastern districts of Rajasthan, India, revealed widespread deficiencies of sulfur (S; 43 to 87% fields deficient), boron (B; 25 to 100%), and zinc (Zn; 0 to 94%) in addition to phosphorus (P; 10 to 73%) and soil organic carbon (1 to 84%). An integrated approach of application of deficient S, B, and Zn along with N and P to high-yielding crop cultivars increased yield over farmers’ practice of N and P application to local cultivars by 92 to 204% in maize, 115 to 167% in pearl millet, and 150% in groundnut. Benefit-to-cost ratio of the integrated strategy varied from 3.33 to 8.03 in maize, 2.92 to 3.40 in pearl millet, and 1.15 in groundnut. The integrated approach effectively utilized scarce water in food production and increased rainwater-use efficiency at 67 to 145 kg mm^?1 ha^?1 from 21 to 50 kg mm^?1 ha^?1 under farmers’ practice.