Effects of previous elemental sulfur applications on oxidation of additional applied elemental sulfur in soils

Oxidation of elemental sulfur (S⁰) in 20 Chinese agricultural soils was tested and the effects of previous S⁰ applications on the oxidation of additional applied S⁰ in selected soils were investigated using laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments. Results showed that sulfur oxidative capacities presented great variability among 20 tested soils, with a coefficient of variation of 92.4%. There were no significant relationships between S⁰ oxidation and physical and chemical properties of the selected soil. Previous S⁰ amendment significantly increased the oxidation rate of additional applied S⁰. These stimulatory effects after the first applications of S⁰ were greater than those after two applications. The percent increase in S⁰ oxidation rate due to S⁰ pretreatment was negatively correlated with the oxidation capacities of soils before S⁰ pretreatments. The significant reduction of sulfur oxidation in autoclaved soils and significant increase in S⁰ oxidation after inoculation with S⁰-treated soil suspension demonstrated that microbial oxidation was mainly responsible for the enhancement of soil oxidation ability after previous S⁰ amendments.