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Analyses of Several Brazilian Soils in Relation to Plant Responses to Sulfur
Author(s) -
McClung A. C.,
Freitas L. M. M.,
Lott W. L.
Publication year - 1959
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1959.03615995002300030020x
Subject(s) - soil water , cropping , environmental science , agronomy , sulfur , greenhouse , dry matter , soil science , biology , chemistry , ecology , agriculture , organic chemistry
Greenhouse studies indicated many soils of the central plateau of Brazil to have a poor S supply. The most acute deficiency was found on soil from an upland savanna, but surface soils (0 to 20 cm. A 0 excluded) from virgin forests also responded. The B horizon of cultivated soils responded less frequently than that of the virgin soils, suggesting some downward movement of S under cropping. Such movement was also indicated by higher levels of NH 4 OAc‐extractable S. Sulfur extracted in this way correlated well with growth responses of millet grown in pot culture. In most soils, the addition of 20 pounds S as CaSO 4 per 2 million pounds of soil resulted in maximum dry matter production under the intensive cropping existing in these experiments. It is postulated that responses to S in this region will not be common unless N and P levels are improved. If these elements are plentifully supplied, however, and cropping is intensive, S deficiencies may occur on many soils.