The influence of gypsum particle size on pasture response on a sulphur deficient soil

Abstract

The pasture response to four particle sizes of gypsum fertilizer was measured on a sulphur deficient basaltic soil over a three-year period. At a low rate of application, pasture response was inversely related to particle size ; at a higher rate, only the coarsest fraction differed from the other treatments. The reduction in plant sulphur content and uptake with this fraction suggests that particles >5 mm may be approaching the upper limits of usefulness on this soil. In the first year, the negative interaction between particle size and level of gypsum applied showed that particle size may replace level of application in its effect on response. More efficient use of the sulphur in the fertilizer resulted from application of the finer fractions. Separation of particle size effects into those due to rate of solution of sulphur from the compound, and those due to placement through physical distribution over the soil surface, showed that rate of solution of sulphur was the more important variant. Recognition of its influence could lead to prescribing the correct particle size of gypsum for every sulphur deficient soil. The main effect of the applied sulphur was on the clover component of the pasture. The results suggest that a sulphur content of 0.07 per cent in mature plant tops may be a critical value indicating an adequate sulphur supply, and that 5 lb sulphur an acre in the plant tops may be all that is required for maximum clover production.