New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts
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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