Changes in the Soil Magnesium and Sulphur Content after Kieserite Application into Haplic Luvisol and the Effect on Yields of Barley Biomass

Abstract

In 2016 a pot experiment (5 kg of soil – Mitscherlich pots) with 4 treatments (incl. unfertilized control treatment) was established with spring barley, variety KWS Irina, in the outdoor vegetation hall. Haplic luvisol from Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou (with a good supply of magnesium and slightly acid soil reaction – 6.01) was used for this trial. The rates of magnesium (0.075 – 0.15 – 0.3 g Mg per pot) and sulphur (0.1 – 0.2 – 0.4 g S per pot) were increased by using the ESTA Kieserite fertiliser (25 % MgO; 20 % S), treatments 2 – 4. Nitrogen was applied in the form of CAN (27 % N) at a rate of 1 g N per pot in all the treatments incl. the control. The content of post‑harvest soil magnesium and sulphur increased significantly with the applied rate (196 – 227 – 261 mg Mg/kg and 40.1 – 76.8 – 208.6 mg S/ kg, respectively). The soil reaction (pH) increased significantly in all the fertilised treatments (6.42 – 6.57 – 6.60) against the unfertilised control treatment (6.10). Dry matter yields of the aboveground biomass (41.75 – 42.25 – 44.75 – 44.25 g DM per pot) increased significantly only when the two highest rates of fertilisers were applied (44.75 – 44.25 g DM per pot) as against the other treatments.