The effect of N, P, K fertilisation and bacterial inoculation on the oxidation of elemental sulphur in Danube alluvial soil

Abstract

Sulphur is a basic nutrient both for humans and animal organisms. It is a basic nutrient that directly or indirectly plays an important role in numerous vital functions. In the past period sulphur input to agricultural lands was reduced. Therefore a reasonable sulphur fertilisation will have an increasing importance and might be the part of everyday fertilisation procedures. Research is also being done regarding the use of elemental sulphur for fertilisation purposes, since the biological activity of soils can be increased by this without additional microbial inoculation. (Kalocsai et al. 2000). Altia and Dosuky (1996) in their experiments carried out on calcareous sandy soil proved, that the yield and nutrient element content of winter wheat increased due to the application of organic manure, nitrogen and sulphur fertilisation and inoculation with Thiobacillus sp. Szentpdteri et al.(2005) emphaised the importance of these factors also. The favourable effect of Thiobacillus inoculation and elemental sulphur fertilisation was proved in experiments with maize Kabesh et al. (1989), and soybean Saber et al. (1989) respectively. Similar experiences were gathered in pot experiments with vegetables Shinde et al. (1996). Beyond plant nutrition aspects sulphur application might play a role in the amelioration and improvement of alkalic and sodic soils (Groudeva et al. 1984, Slaton et al. 1998a, 1998b) and can also are an important tool of phytoremediation (Tichy et al. 1997, Maini et al. 2000). These facts will have an impact on Hungarian agriculture as well; therefore the research activity regarding sulphur should be increased in the future. (Kalocsai et al. 2000).