Biochemical Properties of Calcareous Soil Affected by the Source of Sulphur-Organo Fertilizers

Nada, Wael Mohamed; Abouhussien, Elhusieny; Elbaalawy, Ahmed Mohamed

doi:10.21608/ejss.2023.205582.1586

Biochemical Properties of Calcareous Soil Affected by the Source of Sulphur-Organo Fertilizers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ soil sci. dept., faculty of agriculture, menoufia university, Egypt

² soil Sci., Fac. of Agric. Menoufia Univ., shebin el-kom, Egypt

³ Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt

10.21608/ejss.2023.205582.1586

Abstract

Sulphur application is one of the recommended approaches to improve soil fertility and plant production sustainability in calcareous soils, but different types of mineral or organo sulphur fertilizers may differ in their efficiency. This field experiment was established in calcareous soil of private farm in Nubaria, Beheira Governorate, Egypt through the winter season of 2021/2022 to study the effect of three sulphur fertilizers varied in their forms on chemical and biological soil properties as well as the productivity of faba bean (Vicia faba L., cv Nubaria 3). The examined sulphur forms were control (S0), elemental sulphur (ES 250 and ES 500), compost treated by sulphur (CS 250 and CS 500), and compost tea enriched by sulphur (CTS 250 and CTS 500), whereas 0, 250 and 500 are S application rates (kg fed-1). The obtained results show that, compared to the (S0), all types of applied S fertilizers had a positive impact on the soil content of OM and available N, P, K, Ca, and S nutrients and CEC value, while having a negative effect on soil pH, EC and CaCO3 content. Also, soil biological activity of dehydrogenase, phosphatase and urease increased significantly with increasing sulphur application (with all S forms) rates compared with untreated soil. Generally, the positive and/or negative effect of the studied S fertilizers on soil properties takes the order CTS > CS > ES. There is a significant increase in both seed and straw yields and their macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and S) content for the faba bean plant with the added rate of S in all three forms, with the highest yields recorded to CTS followed by CS and ES treatments. Therefore, sulphur fertilizers particularly those applied as sulphur-organo (CS and CTS) forms should be added to calcareous soil to improve its chemical and biological properties and increased its productivity.

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