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Sulfur Fertilization Effects on Winter Wheat Yield and Extractable Sulfur in Semiarid Soils 1
Author(s) -
Rasmussen P. E.,
Allmaras R. R.
Publication year - 1986
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/agronj1986.00021962007800030004x
Subject(s) - agronomy , human fertilization , soil water , crop , yield (engineering) , gypsum , seeding , sulfur , fertilizer , crop yield , chemistry , environmental science , biology , soil science , paleontology , materials science , organic chemistry , metallurgy
Winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) yield response to sulfur (S) in semiarid climates is inconsistent on coarse‐silty, mixed mesic haploxerolls containing < 2.0 mg extractable S kg −1 in the upper 0.6 m of soil. To develop more efficient S fertilization practices, we determined the initial and residual grain yield, S uptake, and extractable soil S response to 7,14,28, and 42 kg S ha −1 applied as gypsum at three wheat/fallow sites and residual response to 270, 540, 810, and 1570 kg S ha 1 at an annual crop site. Applied S increased grain yield at one of the three wheat/fallow sites. Maximum yield at this site was always > 3.5 Mg ha −1 , whereas yield at the nonresponding sites was < 2.6 Mg ha 1 . Residual S at the annual crop site increased grain yield in 10 of 16 yr, with increases occurring at yields < 2.0 Mg ha 1 . Maximum yield increase was obtained with 14 S ha −1 . The 14 kg S ha 1 application supplied adequate S to a second, and the 28 and 42 kg ha 1 applications, to a third wheat crop, even though increased extractable S from 14 kg S ha 1 was not detectable in the upper 0.6 m of soil at seeding of the second crop, and residual from 28 and 42 kg S ha 1 not detectable at seeding of the third crop. Periodic soil sampling at the S‐responsive site indicated progressive downward movement of S to at least 1.8 m within 4 yr. Substantial leaching of S was suggested for both annual crop and wheat/fallow systems, with partial retention in calcic horizons when present in the soil profile.