A comparison of sulphur fertilizers and sulphur seed pellets on a Stylosanthes guianensis pasture on a euchrozem in north Queensland

Abstract

Elemental sulphur, gypsum, superphosphate and seed pellets containing gypsum or elemental sulphur were compared as sulphur sources for the establishment of Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Endeavour in a glasshouse and a field experiment on a euchrozem soil near Mt. Surprise, north Queensland. At planting, both fine and granular forms of sulphur fertilizer were hand broadcast at rates which varied from 0 to 50 kg S ha-1. The gypsum and elemental sulphur seed pellets were made so that rates of from 0.1 to 20 kg S ha-1 were applied. In both experiments there was a clear response to sulphur application. In the glasshouse, broadcast gypsum was as effective as a gypsum pellet, and slightly superior to the elemental sulphur pellet in terms of legume sulphur concentration and yield. Over the three years of the field experiment, total legume yield increased from 4500 kg ha-1 to a maximum of 12,000 kg ha-1 in response to applied sulphur, but there were no differences between yields from the various forms of broadcast sulphur (elemental sulphur, gypsum and superphosphate). Sulphur pelleted onto the seed, however, was significantly better than the equivalent rate of broadcast sulphur.