Effects of sulphur fertilizers and of copper on the yield and composition of spring wheat grown in an sandy soil prone to surface compaction

Abstract

SUMMARYA condition known as ‘scorch” with symptoms similar to copper deficiency often occurs in dry weather on cereals grown on a sandy soil (at Woburn) with an unstable structure. Plants with symptoms contained more sulphur than normal and sulphur/ copper interactions were suspected.Sulphur fertilizers tested in two pot experiments with this soil did not induce copper deficienciesbut increased grain and straw yields of spring wheat especially at higher nitrogen rates. Yields were increased when the mature grain contained less than 0.12% S and the straw less than 0.5% Sin the dry matter. Sulphur concentrations were larger in plants grown in the greenhouse rather than in growth cabinets and in plants grown in oven-dried rather than air-dried soil.Soil-applied copper sulphate slightly increased grain yields in pots but in one experiment there were no corresponding increases in copper contents of the crop. In a field experiment where ‘scorch’ symptoms occurred in 1972, copper oxychloride sprays increased copper concentrations but not yields of the grain.These results suggest that copper deficiency is unlikely to be a primary cause of ‘scorch’ symptoms.

Some effects of differently‐acting nematicides on the cereal cyst‐nematode (Heterodera avenae) and on the appearance of ‘scorch’ in spring wheat on light loamy sand

“…In 1972, copper had been deficient in leaves and stems of wheat plants showing 'scorch' symptoms (Bolton, 1975). Yields were not affected though copper content of the grain was increased.…”

“…Again, significant decreases occurred only in the aldicarb sub-plots treated in both years (P < 0.001). His analyses of 1973 crop samples showed that aldicarb residual activity increased nitrogen, sulphur and copper concentrations in grain by about l P h , although copper oxychloride increased % Cu in grain it did not affect yield (Bolton, 1975). Egg numbers were less in cumulatively treated aldicarb sub-plots than in 'residual' aldicarb but this was not so with formalin or dazomet.…”

“…H. auenae cysts were extracted and egg contents estimated by standard methods (Southey, 1970 In 1973, samples of 20 plants per sub-plot were again taken for plant weights and nematode numbers and grain and straw samples were analysed for nitrogen, sulphur and copper (Bolton, 1975). Twenty 2-5 cm x 15 cm cores from each plot were mixed and a 200 g air-dried subsample taken from each.…”

“…Copper oxychloride as a foliar spray was applied on 3 1 May at two rates: 1.1 and 2.2 kg Cu/ha, superimposed on the previous treatment factorial scheme, to assess the "r6le of copper in the development of 'scorch' disease (Bolton, 1975). Base fertiliser rates were as before but a single high nitrogen rate (180 kg N/ha) only was applied.…”

Marginal sulphur supplies for grassland herbage in south-east Scotland

“…N/S ratios in the deficient herbage were as high as 40. Jones, Cowling & Lockyer (1972) have shown similar responses to sulphur by ryegrass using a wide range of soils from England and Wales and Bolton (1975) a response by spring wheat on a sandy loam soil from Woburn experimental station.…”