Wheat varietal response to sulfur 1

Abstract

A nutrient solution‐sand culture study was conducted in a greenhouse to evaluate the response of 35 soft red winter wheat varieties to S. Wheat seedlings were grown for 35 days in sand that was leached every other day with complete nutrient solution containing 0, 1 or 5 mg SO₄‐S L^‐1. Herbage yield of 5‐week‐old wheat plants was increased an average of fourfold as the level of s in solution was increased from 0 to 5 mg L^‐1. The concentration of S in the herbage was increased an average of three‐fold as the concentration of s was increased from 0 to 5 mg L^‐1. Differences were observed among varieties for both dry matter and the concentration of S in plant tissue. However, differences among varieties were not consistent at all three levels of s in solution. Sulfur concentration in wheat herbage explained only 24% of the variability in wheat herbage yield. The study did allow for a general grouping of varieties giving the highest, lowest and intermediate yields. Concentrations of Mg, Cu, P, Fe, Mn and Zn were also affected by the level of SO₄‐S.