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Effects of cultivation and long-term superphosphate applications on pasture soil sulphur mineralisation and availability in the field

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Abstract

The mineralisation of soil organic sulphur (S) by soil micro-organisms constitutes a significant source of S for pasture plant growth. Cultivation and fertiliser applications affect microbial activity which in turn affects soil S mineralisation and the release of plant-available S. A field trial was conducted with cultivated and uncultivated subplots superimposed on the main plots of a long-term pasture trial in New Zealand receiving annual applications of superphosphate (0, 188, 376 kg ha−1) since 1952. The aim was to provide information on soil S mineralisation and availability as affected by cultivation and superphosphate applications under field conditions. Carrier-free 35SO4-S was applied to all plots in the field, allowed to pre-condition for two weeks before perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) seeds were sown to cultivated sub-plots, while in uncultivated subplots existing pasture was cut and removed and then allowed to re-grow. Five plant harvests followed by soil sampling each time were conducted over a period of one year. Herbage and soil samples were analysed for total S and 35S and different extractable soil S and 35S fractions (HI-reducible S, C-bonded S). Results obtained showed that cultivation and fertilisation significantly affected plant dry matter yield, soil S mineralisation and plant S uptake. These effects were affected by seasons. Plant S uptake was strongly related to soil S supply to plants and the plant S uptake provided a better measure of soil S availability to plants than changes in the extractable soil S fractions examined in the current study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Soil and Physical Sciences Group, Soil, Plant and Ecological Sciences Division, Lincoln University, PO Box 84, Canterbury, New Zealand

    K.M. Goh

  2. Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapelle, Andra Prasad, India

    J. Pamidi

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  1. K.M. Goh
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  2. J. Pamidi
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Goh, K., Pamidi, J. Effects of cultivation and long-term superphosphate applications on pasture soil sulphur mineralisation and availability in the field. Plant Soil 264, 299–312 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:PLSO.0000047764.22551.26

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