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Sulfur Response by Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) on a Sulfur‐Deficient Soil 1
Author(s) -
Seim E. C.,
Caldwell A. C.,
Rehm G. W.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1969.00021962006100030009x
Subject(s) - medicago sativa , acre , sulfur , agronomy , gypsum , soil water , human fertilization , field experiment , pasture , chemistry , environmental science , zoology , biology , soil science , paleontology , organic chemistry
Field experiments were conducted in a S‐deficient area in Minnesota to determine the soil S status, atmospheric contributions of S, and the response of alfalfa to S fertilization. In general the sulfate — S, the available S, and the reserve and total S in the soil were higher than is normally expected in S responsive soils. The average annual addition of S to the soil from atmospheric sources was 5.4 kg/ha (4.8 lb/acre) at the rural experimental site and 27.4 kg/ha (24.4 lb/acre) at a metropolitan area site. Alfalfa responded to all S treatments regardless of the material source. Treated plots yielded three times as much alfalfa as the check plots. Increases were obtained from residual as well as annual applications. Elemental S was as effective as gypsum in increasing alfalfa yields. Sulfur treatments significantly decreased the mortality of young alfalfa. The critical S level in mature alfalfa tissue ranged from .12 to .15% and the highest yields were obtained above 0.3%.