Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Master of Soil Science, Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Zanjan University, Zanjan, Iran
2
Professor, Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Zanjan University, Zanjan, Iran
3
Member of the Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI) of Iran
4
Member of the Scientific Board of Agricultural Research Center of Mazandaran, Mazandaran, Iran
Abstract
There are many problems in crop production in calcareous soils. The main problems are due to high concentration of Ca+2 and high pH. There is a direct relationship among phosphorus and micronutrients absorption and high pH. Usually, micro nutrients in these soils are fixed and become unavailable for plants absorption. However, sulfur oxidation in these soils produces sulfuric acid and decreases soil pH, leading to higher absorption of other nutrients indirectly. To determine the exact amount of sulfur needed to avoid imbalance of nutrients and the effect of microbial sulfur fertilizer on nutrient uptake and yield of soybeans in a calcareous soil, an experiment was carried out in Qarakheil Agricultural Research Station in (RCBD) design with 3 rates of sulfur in 3 replications. Elemental sulfur powder at three levels (S0, S1.5, and S3) as zero, 1.5 and 3 t/ha along with Thiobacillus inoculation at all levels. For measuring rates of nutrients in plants leaves, we carried out sampling at flowering stage. Results showed that application of sulfur had significant effect on yield and concentration of P in leaf. The highest yield (2429 kg.ha-1) and concentration of P (0.58 %) were obtained in 3 t/ha sulfur treatment. Applying sulfur to soil increased the concentrations of P, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu in leaf significantly. Also, the concentration of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu of soil increased, but pH concentration of soil decreased when sulfur was applied to the soil.
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