Effect of Different Sulphur Sources on Sulphur Fractionation in a Red Sandy Loam Soil

Aim: The aim of the present study was to examine the different forms of sulphur fractions in post- harvest soil of cabbage crop to determine the S status of red sandy loam soil, Thondamuthur block, Coimbatore district.

Study Design: The design used in the present study was Factorial randomized block design with 20 treatments replicated thrice.

Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was carried out in a farmer’s field of red sandy loam non-calcareous soil, deficient in sulphur which was located at Viraliyur village of Thondamuthur block, Coimbatore district during February to May 2021 of rabi season.

Methodology: A field experiment was carried out in sandy loam sulphur deficient soil with cabbage as test crop fertilized with NPK along with different sulphur sources viz., elemental sulphur, potassium sulphate, gypsum and single super phosphate @ levels of 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg ha-1 replicated thrice in a Factorial Randomized Block Design. S fractions of water-soluble S, inorganic S, organic S, available S and residual S were estimated in post-harvest soil.

Results: The results revealed that the total sulphur differed from 278.1 to 339.4 mg kg-1. Among the sulphur fractions, inorganic S (39%) accounts highest proportion of total S followed by organic S (38.3%), water-soluble S (9.19%) and available S (4.12%). The order was, Inorganic S > organic S > sulphate S > water soluble S.

Conclusion: This study indicated that all the sulphur fractions are strongly associated with S sources, levels and properties of red sandy loam soil of Coimbatore district under cabbage cultivation.