Effect of Highly Acidified Soil on Soil Nutrient Availability and Corn (Zea mays L.) Growth

To evaluate the effect of highly decreased soil pH on soil nutrients availability and as well as corn (Zea mays L.) nutrients uptake, a pot experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replicates under greenhouse conditions. For soil acidification elemental sulfur was applied at 0, 7.5 and 15 ton ha-1. The determined variables were soil pH and salinity, phosphorous and micronutrients availability, plant dry matter and Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn uptake by Corn. The results showed that sulfur levels had significanteffects on all determined characteristics. Soil salinity increased by addition of sulfur. phosphorous availability and soil pH decreased (from 5.5 to 3) as well. The amount of Iron (Fe) and manganese were highly increased by the reducing soil pH. In the case of Cupper and Zinc, their availability increased by application of 7.5 ton ha-1 and decreased by application of 15 ton ha-1 sulfur. Plant dry matter decreased by increasing sulfur rate and hence plant uptake of all nutrients were significantly decreased.