Influence of nitrogen and elemental‐sulfur fertilization on sulfur oxidation and mineralization in relation to soil moisture on a calcareous soil of the Inner Mongolia steppe of China

Grassland‐livestock farming is the main agricultural activity in the Inner Mongolia steppe of China. It has been estimated that more than 80% of the grasslands suffer from sulfur (S) deficiency in this region. In an incubation study and a greenhouse experiment with alfalfa, the influence of soil moisture (40% and 70% water‐holding capacity, WHC), nitrogen (0 and 200 mg N (kg soil)^–1 as NH₄NO₃), and elemental sulfur (eS; 0 and 300 mg S (kg soil)^–1) amendments on the apparent eS oxidation, eS‐oxidation rate, net S‐mineralization rate, and S uptake of alfalfa were studied. After 28 d of incubation, the eS‐oxidation rate was four times higher at 70% than at 40% WHC if no N was applied. With N application, soil moisture had only minor effects on eS oxidation during the whole incubation period. In the greenhouse experiment, lower values for eS‐oxidation rate and net S‐mineralization rate were found if no N was applied. Application of N and eS significantly increased alfalfa growth and S uptake. The results of both experiments suggest that combined N and eS applications are the best way to alleviate S deficiency on these calcareous soils.