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Effect of Particle Size on Long‐Term Availability of Sulfur on Annual‐Type Grasslands 1
Author(s) -
Jones M. B.,
Ruckman J. E.
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/agronj1969.00021962006100060033x
Subject(s) - trifolium subterraneum , pasture , zoology , forage , sulfur , gypsum , chemistry , lolium perenne , agronomy , biology , poaceae , paleontology , organic chemistry
Elemental sulfur and gypsum were applied to separate plots in a subclover ( Trifolium subterraneum L.) ‐grass pasture at 45 or 448 kg/ha. Diameter of the S particles was < 0.15 mm, 0.25‐0.29 mm, 0.30‐0.59 mm, or 0.84–2.00 mm. Forage yields, changes in botanical composition, and S uptake were determined annually for 7 years after application. At the 448‐kg level, uptake of S from the smallest‐sized particles was highest during the first 2 years. Thereafter it decreased annually. Uptake of S from gypsum followed a similar pattern, but the decrease was more rapid. With the 0.25–0.29‐mm particles, uptake was less than from the smallest particles the first year, but the level remained relatively constant for 3 years, with only small decreases in subsequent years. Uptake of S from the 0.30–0.59‐mm particles was less than half that from the finest S the 1st year after application, but there was no decrease in uptake with time. Also, the uptake was about twice that from the largest‐sized particles throughout the period of the experiment. Where 45 kg S/ha was applied, relative amounts of S uptake from the various sized particles were similar to that with the 448‐kg application in the 1st year after application except that the amounts were much less. In subsequent years the increase in S uptake caused by application of the finest S decreased more rapidly than where the heavy rate was applied. Also the cumulative S uptake from coarse S fractions did not exceed uptake from the finest S as it did where the heavier S was applied. Where 45 kg S/ha was applied increased forage production was closely related to S availability, particle size, and S uptake. Increases in forage production with the application of 448 kg S did not follow the same pattern as S uptake with regard to particle size. Yield increases were least where < 0.15‐mm particles were used. This probably was caused by side effects, since soil pH was reduced by the heavy application of the finest S.