Sulfur Application Effect on Sour Orange Seedling Growth Indices and Some Characteristics of a Non-Calcareous Soil

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Citrus and Subtropical Fruit Research Centre, Horticultural Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research and Education Organization (AREO), Ramsar 46915, Iran

2 Assistant Prof., Tea Research Center, Horticultural Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Lahijan, Iran

10.22092/ijsr.2023.360511.684

Abstract

The present research aimed to study the effects of S application with and without cow manure on growth indices of young sour orange (SO) seedlings and on some chemical and biological properties of a non-calcareous soil (pH= 6.8). In this experiment, eight different treatments, including the application of S at four levels (0, 10, 20, and 30 g-S per kg-soil) with or without cow manure were used. Eight months after planting, seedlings were harvested, and shoot weight and the concentration of nutrients including phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, and zinc in the leaves of the seedlings were measured. Additionally, at the end of the experiment, the soils around the SO root were sampled and some biological and chemical properties including the activity of phosphatase enzymes, microbial respiration, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and the cation exchange capacity were determined. The results showed that the combined application of S and cow manure had a more pronounced effect on the growth indices of SO seedlings and soil quality indices than S and cow manure applied alone. Also, application of 10 g S had positive effects on the shoot’s weight and the concentration of P, Ca, Fe, and Zn in SO leaves and these positive effects were more pronounced in the combined application of S with cow manure. Also, with increasing the level of S application, soil pH decreased, and this decrease was more in the combined application of S and cow manure conditions. Additionally, the available amount of P, K, Ca, sulfate, Zn and Fe in the soil was affected by the level of sulfur application. Application of 10 g of S increased soil EC, although increasing the level of S application did not lead to a further increase in this parameter. The highest activity of alkaline and acidic phosphatase enzymes was obtained in the application of 10 g of S in combination with cow manure. In general, the results of this study showed that application of more than 20 g of S had an inhibitory effect on the growth of SO shoots and biological parameters under study.  

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Main Subjects


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