New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Dryland lucerne responses to elemental sulphur of different particle sizes applied at different rates and frequencies in North Otago, New Zealand

C. C. BOSWELL

AgResearch
Invermay Agricultural Research Centre
Private Bag 50034
Mosgiel, New Zealand

Abstract  Elemental sulphur (S) of three particle sizes (< 150, 250-500, and 1000-2000 um), screened S (a product with a range of particle sizes), and gypsum (a sulphate fertiliser) were each applied to lucerne pasture at 25, 50, 100, and 200 kg S/ha in a dry inland environment. Pasture deficiencies first developed during the second year after fertiliser application. Oxidation rates of the elemental S particles were measured directly from the residual elemental S in the soil and indirectly by soil and plant S analyses. Particles < 150 um were 90% oxidised within 1 year of application and are best suited to annual applications; particles of 250-500 um were oxidised over about 3 years, and were suited to biennial or triennial application; particles of 1000-2000 um were very slowly oxidised and were not recommended as fertilisers. Screened S was broadly comparable with 250-500 um elemental S. Gypsum was an effective fertiliser form for lucerne in this environment. S inputs required for maintenance of both lucerne pasture production under a cut and removal (haying) management, and soil sulphate reserves, were about 25 kg S/ha per year in an available form.

Keywords  dryland; elemental sulphur; fertilisers; leaching; lucerne; particle size; root distribution; sulphur oxidation

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1997, Vol. 40: 283-295

0028-8233/97/4002-0283 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1997

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (916K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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