The sulphur status of wheat in red-brown earths in southern NSW

Abstract

An investigation was made of the availability to wheat of sulphur in red-brown earths in southern New South Wales. There was no response in grain yield to the application of sulphate to phosphorus-treated or to phosphorus and nitrogen-treated plots at any of 14 field sites, although appreciable responses were obtained in pot culture using surface soil taken from eight of the sites. Under field conditions, mineralization of soil organic matter appears likely to provide adequate sulphur where crops are grown without nitrogen fertilizer. In addition, appreciable amounts of readily available sulphur may be present in the subsoil. The results indicate that triple superphosphate could be used for the fertilization of cereal crops on these soils without risk of sulphur deficiency. Use of nitrogenous fertilizer, however, would increase the possibility of sulphur deficiency.