Adsorption and translocation of sulfur in some tropical acid soils

Abstract

SummaryIn view of growing concern about sulfur (S) deficiency, we attempted to study the effect of soil characteristics on the adsorption and translocation of S in soils. Laboratory experiments were conducted with five surface soils collected from three regions in the state of Orissa (Eastern India). In an adsorption study, all the soils were equilibrated with graded doses of potassium sulfate (K 2 SO 4 ). Freundlich adsorption isotherms provided good fit to S adsorption data. Free Fe 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 in the soils were primarily responsible for retaining added S in soils. Further, studies on the movement of sulfate-S in 30-cm plexiglass columns, where radio-labeled S along with water (5 cm) was applied as gypsum and K 2 SO 4 , showed that K 2 SO 4 -S migrated deeper than gypsum-S. Sulfur moved deeper in case of initially water-saturated soils than in initially airdry soils.

Effect of Different Levels of Phosphorus and Sulphur on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Green gram (Vigna radiata L.) under Teak (Tectona grandis L.) based Agroforestry System

“…However, because of generally low phosphorus concentrations in mulch materials, low atmospheric inputs and low release by mineral weathering, adequate applications of phosphorus fertilizers are necessary in permanent agriculture to ensure economic and ecological sustainability (Buresh et al, 1997 andNewman, 1997). The deficiency of S, one of the fourth most important nutrient after N,P and K (McGrath et al, 1996;Walker and Dawson 2003;Matula 2004) is a major constraint to sustainable production of oilseed crops in many parts of the world including India (Saha et al, 2001;Biswas et al, 2003;Grant et al, 2003;Malhi and Gill, 2007). About 41% of soils in India are deficient in S, and yield of oilseed crops is adversely affected (Lakkineni and Abrol, 1992;Tewatia et al, 2007).…”

Extractability and availability index of sulphur in selected soils of Odisha

“…Sulphur uptake and assimilation varies with crop species, the higher amount required by oilseeds while cereals have least requirement. However, the rate of uptake depends upon the availability of S in the plant root zone during the active growing stage of crops as its availability in soils for plant uptake is mostly influenced by various soil properties (Haneklaus et al, 2002;Biswas et al, 2003). Various methods have been proposed to evaluate the amounts of soil S available for plant uptake (Mc Grath & Zhao, 1994).…”