Effect of Sulfur Application on Soil pH and Phosphorus Availability for Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In many part of Iran, soils have high content of calcium carbonate and it is the main reason for high pH value. In that condition, most essential elements for plant growth are normally below the Critical Nutrient Levels. Soil pH is one of the most important chemical properties that affects the solubility and allocation of ions in soil solution. In arid and semi-arid lands, organic matter and acid-forming compounds are applied to the soils for lessening the soil pH. Elemental sulfur (S) is one of the most important compounds used for soil acidification. This study was carried out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five levels of S application (0, 500, 750, 1500 and 3000 Kg ha-1) and three replications to investigate the effect of S application on soil pH and phosphorus availability for wheat during two years in Qazvin. The results from two consecutive years showed that the soil pH, the concentrations of the available phosphate and sulfate were significantly (P< 0.01) different during the plant growth period. The highest amount of available sulfate (143 mg Kg-1) measured in the second year in 3000 Kg ha-1 treatment when soil pH was at the lowest level. Also the highest amount of available phosphorus (34 mg Kg-1) was found in 1500 and 3000 Kg ha-1 S treatments in the second year.