Effect of elemental sulfur and Thiobacillus bacteria on some chemical properties of soil and nutrients uptake by maize (Zea mays L.) crop

In this study the effect of elemental sulphur on some chemical properties of soil and nutrients uptake in maize in four soils (Chogha Narges, Mahidasht, Najaf Abad and Ghomsheh) with different available sulphur (7, 13, 18, 27 mg kg-1soil) investigated in Kermanshah city. sulphur was applied at 0, 250, 500, and 1000 kg ha-1 as elemental sulphur along with the Thiobacillus bacteria in three replications in a randomized complete block on crop of corn in the crop season of 2015-2016. Soil samples at 6-7 leaf, silking and post harvesting stage from each treatment plot were collected for the determination of pH, EC, P, S-SO4, Fe and Zn. The result showed that elemental S significantly decreased the soil pH and increased EC, P, S-SO4, soil DTPA- extractable Fe, and Zn in all tested soils at 6-7 leaf, silking and post harvesting stage compared with the control. The lowest pH and highest EC, P, S-SO4, Fe and Zn value was observed with 1000 kg ha-1 S elemental at silking stage in all soils.
Soil pH of Chogha Narges, Mahidasht, Najaf Abad and Ghomsheh 0. 62, 0. 6, 0. 33, 0. 24 decreased compared with the control, respectively. Soil electrical conductivity as well as 1. 01, 0. 91, 0. 69, 0. 7 dS m-1, Phosphorus 2. 4, 3. 7, 1. 5, 1, available sulphur 18, 16, 15. 7 and 24, iron (fe) 1. 4, 1. 48, 1. 3 and 0. 9, Zinc 0. 51, 0. 57, 0. 34 and 0. 18 mg kg-1soil increased in soils are mentioned in compared with control, respectively. After harvesting due to the reduced amount of sulphur oxidation and buffering capacity of soil, gradually return to its initial state. Nitrogen, Phosphorus, sulphur, iron and Zn uptake was significantly increased with the application of S compared with the control. The highest nutrients uptake was observed with 1000 kg ha-1 S elemental.