Effects of sulfur application and Thiobacillus inoculation on soil nutrient availability, wheat yield and plant nutrient concentration in calcareous soils with different calcium carbonate content

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this research, elemental sulfur was applied at eight rates with and without Thiobacillus inoculation in calcareous soils which had 23%, 17% and 8.5% Total Neutralizing Value(TNV). The highest grain yield, biological yield, plant height, and concentrations of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in shoot were obtained with application of S0 at rates which neutralized 2% and 4% of soil TNV, while highest available nutrients and plant-phosphorus (P) were recorded with application of S0 at rates which neutralized 16% and 20% of soil TNV. Maximum indices were recorded in soil which had 17% TNV, so that available P, Fe and zinc (Zn) increased by 167.33%, 35.67% and 81.70% compared with control respectively with application of 9.14 g S° g−1soil. Thiobacillus inoculation increased all of indices (except Fe concentration) compared with non-inoculated control. The results reveal that sulfur application along with Thiobacillus can increase nutrients availability, nutrients uptake and yield of wheat grown in calcareous soils.