Influence of Elemental Sulfur on Sugarcane Yield on Histosols with Near-Neutral pH

Abstract

ABSTRACTSoil subsidence of Florida Histosols caused by microbial oxidation following drainage of these soils has resulted in decreased depth. Soil pH has increased from tillage operations and vertical movement of carbonates from underlying limestone bedrock through evapotranspiration and seepage irrigation. This study was conducted to determine sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) yield response to banded elemental sulfur (S) (granular 90% S and granular 80% S with 5% manganese (Mn)) in soils with unamended pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.2. Four field experiments were established as small-plots on Histosols in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). Each experiment was a randomized complete block design with six replications and elemental S rates of 0, 90, 224, and 448 kg S ha−1. Less than optimum leaf Mn at two locations were associated with Mehlich 3-extractable Mn<5 g m−3. There were no sugarcane yield responses to elemental S with unamended pH<7.2, although S significantly reduced in-row pH.Abbreviations: EAA, Everglades Agricultural Area; ICP, inductively coupled argon plasma; KSM, kg sucrose Mg−1 cane; MAP, monoammonium phosphate; M3-Mn, Mehlich 3-extractable Mn; RCB, randomized complete block; STM5, granular 80% S with 5% Mn; MCH, Mg cane ha−1; MSH, Mg sucrose ha−1