The sulfur (S) dynamic and availability is less studied than others nutrients, even though S is an essential nutrient for crops production. This study was carried out to evaluate the crop responses to S-SO4-2 application in different soils and to study S recuperation by balancing it in soil and plants. The study was composed by a greenhouse experiment with six successive crops (canola, soybean, black bean, sesame, clover and wheat) using four soils and four S-SO4-2 levels (0, 5, 10 and 20mg kg-1) to evaluate immediate and residual effect of S-SO4-2 application. Soil samples were taken from 0-10 cm layer before and after each crop and analyzed for S-SO4-2. It was evaluate the dry matter production and S-SO4-2 absorbed by plants. Only canola responded to sulphur application. Soybean, black bean, sesame, clover and wheat did not response to sulfur application. There was not observed correlation between soil S-SO4-2 available in 10cm topsoil and crop yields. Soils with different clay and organic matter content showed similar behavior of crop response to sulfur application. The increase of S-SO4-2 availability with fertilization was greater in soils with more clay content.
sulfur application; sulfate availability