Sulfur and Zinc Availability from Co-granulated Zn-Enriched Elemental Sulfur Fertilizers

Abstract

Acidification by oxidation of elemental sulfur (ES) can solubilize ZnO, providing slow release of both sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn) in soil. For this study, a new granular fertilizer with ES and ZnO was produced and evaluated. The effect of incorporating microorganisms or a carbon source in the granule was also evaluated. Four granulated ES-Zn fertilizers with and without S-oxidizing microorganisms, a commercial ES pastille, ZnSO, and ZnO were applied to the center of Petri dishes containing two contrasting pH soils. Soil pH, CaCl-extractable S and Zn, and remaining ES were evaluated at 30 and 60 days in two soil sections (0-5 and 5-9 mm from the fertilizer application site). A visualization test was performed to evaluate Zn diffusion over time. A significant pH decrease was observed in the acidic soil for all ES-Zn fertilizer treatments and in the alkaline soil for the Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans-inoculated treatment only. In agreement with Zn visualization tests, extractable-Zn concentrations were higher from the point of application in the acidic (62.9 mg dm) compared to the alkaline soil (5.5 mg dm). Elemental S oxidation was greater in the acidic soil (20.9%) than slightly alkaline soil (12%). The ES-Zn granular fertilizers increased S and Zn concentrations in soil and can provide a strategically slow release of nutrients to the soil.

Preparation, Characterization of Granulated Sulfur Fertilizers and Their Effects on a Sandy Soils

“…Recovery of nutrients from waste allows element reintegration into the food chain [14]. This corresponds with the idea of a circular economy and leads to a reduction in the consumption of resources necessary for the production of conventional fertilizers [6,8,11,[15][16][17][18][19].…”

Non‑toxic sulfur enhances growth hormone signaling through the JAK2/STAT5b/IGF‑1 pathway in C2C12 cells

“…Historically, it was used in paints, gunpowder and weapons. At present, it is used in industries ranging from cosmetics to food supplements; ~85% of all sulfur is used to produce fertilizer (14). A number of studies have elucidated the functions of sulfur in the human body, namely as a component of skin, bones, hair and cartilage tissue (15,16).…”

Preparation and Properties of a Double‐Coated Slow‐Release Urea Fertilizer with Poly(propylene carbonate), a Sodium Polyacrylate Hydroscopicity Resin and Sodium Alginate

“…Slow‐release fertilizer is a new type of fertilizer which has been extensively studied in recent years . Different types of slow‐release fertilizers are prepared by coating the active soluble nutrient component with a membrane as a diffusion barrier . It means that the nutrient release rate decreases, even far less than the normal release rate of fertilizer in the soil.…”