Effect of Sulfur Sources on Megathyrsus Maximus ‘Mombaça’ Grass Cultivated in a Typic Ultisol

ABSTRACT

The deficiency of sulfur (S) in agricultural soils has been aggravated in recent decades, mainly by the application of high concentration fertilizers that are S-free and intensive agricultural activities. This study evaluated forage yield, nutritional status and inorganic sulfate-S in soil when submitted to levels and sources of sulfur, including elemental sulfur, of the ‘Mombaça’ grass in a Typic Ultisol. The experimental design was completely randomized arrangement in a 5 × 4 factorial design, with five S rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg kg⁻¹) and four S sources. The sources were elemental sulfur pastilles (ESPA), phosphogypsum (GY), gypsite (GI), and elemental sulfur powder (ESPO). The results showed that the S-use efficiency with the GI, GY and ESPO sources was obtained with the supply of 50 mg kg⁻¹ of S, and was enough to optimize the ‘Mombaça’ grass yield and promote a better quality for the nutritional status of the forage. The ESPA source had an S leaf concentration below the adequate range and resulted in lower yield values in relation to the other S sources evaluated. The SPAD index in the newly expanded leaves was shown to be an indicator of shoot dry weight (SDW) yield and could be used as a pre-diagnosis of the S-efficiency in ‘Mombaça’ grass. The soil processes associated to the availability of S had a great influence on the granulometry, which drove the SDW yield and S use efficiency with the source ESPO in relation to ESPA.

KEYWORDS:

• Fertilizer application
• soil fertility
• sulfate
• pasture
• Megathyrsus maximus

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.