Assessment of Sulfur Deficiency under Field Conditions by Single Measurements of Sulfur, Chloride and Phosphorus in Mature Leaves

Abstract

Determination of S status is very important to detect S deficiency and prevent losses of yield and seed quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using the ([Cl−]+[NO3−]+[PO43−]):[SO42−] ratio as an indicator of S nutrition under field conditions in Brassica napus and whether this could be applied to other species. Different S and nitrogen (N) fertilizations were applied on a S deficient field of oilseed rape to harvest mature leaves and analyze their anion and element contents in order to evaluate a new S nutrition indicator and useful threshold values. Large sets of commercial varieties were then used to test S deficiency scenarios. As main results, this study shown that, under field conditions, leaf ([Cl−]+[NO3−]+[PO43−]):[SO42−] ratio was increased by lowering S fertilization, indicating S deficiency. The usefulness of this ratio was also found for other species grown under controlled conditions and it could be simplified by using the elemental ([Cl]+[P]):[S] ratio. Threshold values were determined and used for the clustering of commercial varieties within three groups: S deficient, at risk of S deficiency and S sufficient. The ([Cl]+[P]):[S] ratio quantified under field conditions, can be used as an early and accurate diagnostic tool to manage S fertilization.

Comparative Metabolite Profile, Biological Activity and Overall Quality of Three Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., Asteraceae) Cultivars in Response to Sulfur Nutrition

“…Owing to the role of S as an essential macronutrient for plant growth and metabolism, the negative effects observed in crop growth and yield in response to S deficiency have been reported [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Therefore, the addition of S is necessary for the yield and DM of lettuce to be increased [ 27 ].…”

Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization Modulates the Yield, Essential Oil and Quality Traits of Wild Marigold (Tagetes minuta L.) in the Western Himalaya

“…Sulfur (S) is an important macronutrient in plants due to its important function in synthesis of proteins, as it is an important part of cysteine and methionine amino acids and coenzymes ( Marschner, 1999 ). From many years’ deficiency of S in crops with high S requirement has been a main concern worldwide ( Etienne et al, 2018 ). Soil receives S with rain and through fertilizer application of NPK, but recently highly pure fertilizers are in use with negligible S, leading to continuous removal of S without any supply making soil S deficient ( Riley et al, 2002 ).…”

Water stress combined with sulfur deficiency in pea affects yield components but mitigates the effect of deficiency on seed globulin composition

“…Due to controls on emissions, areas with S-deficient soils are increasing (Mcgrath et al , 2003) and molecular indicators are being developed to diagnose S deficiency (Etienne et al , 2018). In legumes, the S-starvation response can be reduced through mycorrhizal colonization under high phosphate levels (Sieh et al , 2013).…”