Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Effects of elemental sulphur and farmyard manure applications to calcareous saline clay loam soil on growth and some nutrient concentrations of tomato plants

Author(s):

Şule Orman

Recieved Date: 2011-11-15, Accepted Date: 2012-04-12

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of elemental sulphur (S) and farmyard manure (FYM) on soil pH and EC, and N, S, P, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, total chlorophyll concentrations, N:S ratio and shoot dry matter yield of tomato grown in a calcareous saline clay loam soil. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions. Sulphur was applied at 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg kg^-1 and farmyard manure at 0 and 3 ton da^-1 to the soil. Three weeks after application materials to soil, tomato seedlings were planted and 8 weeks later, the plants were harvested to determine N, S, P, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, total chlorophyll concentrations and shoot dry matter yield. Soil pH and EC were determined in the soil samples taken at 3 different periods. Soil pH was decreased and soil EC increased in both 2^nd (3 weeks after applications) and 3^rd (at the end of the experiment or 11 weeks after applications) soil sampling period by sulphur. However, soil pH and EC were not significantly affected by farmyard manure. Sulphur concentration of tomato plants was positively affected by both sulphur and farmyard manure. Nitrogen and P concentrations of the plants were increased by farmyard manure alone. The shoot dry matter yield was not significantly affected by both sulphur and farmyard manure. While the total chlorophyll concentration was increased by sulphur, it was decreased by farmyard manure. The concentrations of Fe, Zn and Mn of the plant were not significantly affected by sulphur and farmyard manure. The Cu concentration of the plant was increased by farmyard manure, but it was decreased by sulphur. The N:S ratio of tomato plant was significantly affected by sulphur alone and it decreased due to sulphur levels. According to the results, the generated soil salinity was high in sulphur applications, which means that plants might be faced high salinity problems. High rates of elemental sulphur (> 50 mg kg^-1) should be avoided, especially in soils with high EC level. Soil properties (especially electrical conductivity, texture, pH and CaCO₃ content) and cultivated plant species should be taken into consideration in the recommendations for sulphur application to soils.

Keywords:

Elemental sulphur, farmyard manure, soil pH, soil EC, calcareous soil, saline soil, salinity, tomato, N, P, S, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, N:S ratio, chlorophyll

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2012
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 720-725

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