Influence of sulfur and nitrogen fertilzer on the uptake of iron, manganese, and zinc by corn plants grown in calcareous soil

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted with a coarse-textured calcareous soil (pH-H 2 O 8.3) to study the effect of single and combined application of N and S fertilizers on soil pH, Fe, Mn, Zn, and P mobilization, and on growth and micronutrient uptake by com (Zea mays L.). Increasing amounts of elemental sulfur were mixed with the soil. To stimulate S oxidation, the treated soils were incubated for six weeks at field capacity. Nitrogen was applied as NH 4 NO 3 (100, 200, and 400 mg N/kg). After six weeks, dry matter yields were recorded and shoots were analyzed for Fe, Mn, Zn, and P. At the end of the experiment, soil pH and the DTPA-extractable micronutrients were determined. The results showed that: a. Soil pH was decreased by 0.2, 0.5, and 0.9 unit as a result of increasing S applications.b. Applied sulfur and N fertilizer had increased the availability of micronutrients to following crops.c. Application of N and/or S resulted in increased dry matter yields.

Growth and nutrient uptake of maize plants as affected by elemental sulfur and nitrogen fertilizer in sandy calcareous soil

“…The soil pH dropped from an initial value of 9.08 to 7.56 by addition of S 0 and N fertilizer. In the present study, soil pH decreased more than 1.0 unit and our findings were the same with that of Soliman et al (1992) where a decrease of soil pH by 0.2, 0.5 and 0.9 units was reported as a result of increasing S applications.…”

“…Application of higher levels of S 0 with N played significant role in respect of Mn uptake of maize plants. Manganese uptake was higher along with higher application of N which was most evident at higher S application rates (Kaya et al, 2009;Soliman et al, 1992). The results clearly showed that Zn and Mn uptake increased significantly by corn plants when grown with moderate levels of S 0 with N, whereas zero S 0 and N recorded poor uptake of Mn.…”

Soil degradation as a reason for inadequate human nutrition

“…A healthy human diet must contain seven macrominerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, S, P, Cl) and 17 microelements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, I, F, B, Se, Mo, Ni, Cr, Si, As, Li, Sn, V, Co) (Welch and Graham 2004). These elements must be supplied through soil, including application of S and N (Soliman et al 1992) and Zn (Wijesundara et al 1991). There are several strategies for improving availability of macrominerals and microelements in soil.…”

The effect of different sulfur doses and forms on changes of soil heavy metals

“…Soil organic matter and pH are the key factors affecting the content and mobility of heavy metals in soil (Soliman et al 1992, Martinez and Motto 2000, Borůvka and Drábek 2004, Šichorová et al 2004. Another important consideration is human activity which contributes to soil contamination in some regions of Poland, thus leading to changes in the natural heavy metals content.…”