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Sulfur dynamics in sub-tropical soils of Australia as influenced by long-term cultivation

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Abstract

Background and aims

Deficiencies of S in agricultural crops are becoming more common but comparatively little is known regarding the kinetics of cultivation-induced long-term changes in soil S pools.

Methods

In the present study, six soils were examined with samples collected from 82 sites – this allowing examination of the effects of cultivation for up to 70 years.

Results

For four of the six soils, long-term cultivation resulted in significant decreases in total S concentrations, with calculated decreases ranging from 35 to 51 %. This decrease was due to mineralization of organic S, with half-life values ranging from 1.0 to 11 years. Generally, organic S decreased linearly with organic C concentrations. For newly-cultivated soils, the mineralization of organic S was sufficient to replace the S harvested in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain, but after prolonged cultivation, the rate of S mineralization decreased by several orders of magnitude.

Conclusions

The data presented here provide important information on the effects of cultivation on S dynamics within sub-tropical soils – this being required to effectively and sustainably manage these systems.

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Acknowledgments

Support was provided to Dr. Kopittke as a recipient of an Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship (FT120100277). The assistance of Maria Hernandez-Soriano in preparing the sample location map is acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Peter M. Kopittke, Ram C. Dalal & Neal W. Menzies

Authors
  1. Peter M. Kopittke
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  2. Ram C. Dalal
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  3. Neal W. Menzies
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Correspondence to Peter M. Kopittke.

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Responsible Editor: Zucong Cai.

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Kopittke, P.M., Dalal, R.C. & Menzies, N.W. Sulfur dynamics in sub-tropical soils of Australia as influenced by long-term cultivation. Plant Soil 402, 211–219 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2789-6

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