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Responses to sulfur application and recuperation in greenhouse crops in soils with different clay and organic matter content

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


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