World Sulfur Use Efficiency for Cereal Crops

Abstract

Sulfur (S) is an essential plant nutrient needed for higher crop yields and improved nutritional value. In recent decades, the occurrence of S deficiency has increased and fertilizer S use may steadily increase. This may lead to inefficient crop utilization of S and result into negative footprints on the environment. The objective of this work was to estimate world fertilizer sulfur use efficiency (SUE) for major cereal crops grown around the world. A 10‐yr data set (2005–2014) was obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization, the US Geological Survey, and an array of other published research articles. Statistical analysis was performed using MS Excel to obtain total area for world and cereal crops, grain yield, and fertilizer S applied. The difference method [(Total grain S – grain S derived from the soil)/S applied] was used to compute world SUE. Cereal crops included in this study were barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), maize (Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), and oat (Avena sativa L.). Cereal production increased from 2669 M Mg in 2005 to 3346 M Mg in 2014. Sulfur use efficiency for cereal crops was estimated to be 18%. This low SUE may be attributable to S leaching from the soil profile, immobilization, retention in residues, and adsorption. As increased quantities of fertilizer S are likely to be applied in future to meet the ever‐growing demand for food, SUE could decline below 18%. Core Ideas World sulfur use efficiency for cereal crops is unknown. World sulfur use efficiency for cereal crops was estimated to be 18%. More precision agriculture research is necessary to improve sulfur use efficiency for cereal crops. Reasons for low sulfur use efficiency include sulfur; leaching, adsorption, retention in residues, and immobilization as well as failure to adhere to sound agronomic practices and 4R concepts.

Unpredictable Nature of Environment on Nitrogen Supply and Demand

“…Global estimates of phosphorus (P) (Dhillon et al, 2017), potassium (K) (Dhillon et al, 2019), and sulfur (S) (Aula et al, 2019) use efficiencies in cereal crops have been found to be highly variable from one year to the next. Phosphorus use efficiency in cereal crops was found to be 16% on average over a 53‐yr period (range, 12–21%) (Dhillon et al, 2017).…”

“…Similarly, over a 55‐yr period, potassium use efficiency averaged 19% (range, 15–26%) (Dhillon et al, 2019). Likewise, sulfur use efficiency averaged 18% (range, 14–22%) (Aula et al, 2019). In summary, these citations reflect the randomness and unpredictable nature of yields across the globe and associated use efficiencies.…”

Synergistic Impact of Co-applied Micronized Sulfur and Nitrogen on Agronomical Traits of a Modern Spring Wheat Cultivars Grown in Alkaline Soil

“…Moreover, several studies have shown that sulfur increased wheat grain yield, gluten, cysteine, and methionine [16]. Nonetheless, sulfur levels in the soil were found to be declining during the last decade [17]. The reasons for sulfur declining are; using new, highly purified fertilizers with less sulfur [17,18].…”

Transcriptomic analysis at organ and time scale reveals gene regulatory networks controlling the sulfate starvation response of Solanum lycopersicum.

“…As a macronutrient, the average concentration of S in plant tissues for adequate growth is relatively high (around 0.1 to 0.5% of plant dry weight) [4]. However, S de ciency has become a rising problem in crops primarily due to decreases in atmospheric S inputs caused by strict industrial emission regulations and changes in agronomic practices, including the use of fertilizers with reduced S compositions, reduction in the use of S-containing fungicides and intensive cropping systems that remove S from the soils [5]. Prolonged S de ciency causes a reduction in photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll levels and amino acid contents, leading to growth retardation and diminished yield, nutritional quality and taste of crops [5][6][7].…”

“…However, S de ciency has become a rising problem in crops primarily due to decreases in atmospheric S inputs caused by strict industrial emission regulations and changes in agronomic practices, including the use of fertilizers with reduced S compositions, reduction in the use of S-containing fungicides and intensive cropping systems that remove S from the soils [5]. Prolonged S de ciency causes a reduction in photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll levels and amino acid contents, leading to growth retardation and diminished yield, nutritional quality and taste of crops [5][6][7]. Moreover, S-starvation alters the acquisition of other nutrients such as nitrate, phosphate, molybdenum, selenium, and iron [8][9][10][11].…”