Basic Science Sector

Citation:

MotiorRahman, M., A. A. Soaud, F. A. H. Darwish, and M. Sofian-Azirun, "Effects of Sulfur and Nitrogen on Nutrients Uptake of Corn using Acidified Water", African Journal of Biotechnology, 2011.

Abstract:

A greenhouse experiment was carried out with elemental sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer usingacidified water (pH 6.5) to determine nutrients uptake and growth of maize plants grown in calcareoussandy soil. Four levels of elemental sulfur (0, 1, 5 and 10 t ha-1), two levels of N (0 and 0.34 t N ha-1) weretested at Al Foah Agricultural Experiment Farm, United Arab Emirates (UAE) University. In Al Semaihsoil, the pH (1.21-1.33) and electrical conductivity (EC) (7.61 dSm-1) decreased by application ofelemental S plus N, while EC rose (3.84 dSm-1) and pH reduced (1.20 to 1.11) in Al Zaid soil. Acidityimproved by decreasing soil pH, Na and Cl concentration in both soils. A significant change wasobserved by application of acidified water at Al Semaih soil causing high levels in the initial status ofEC, Na and Cl concentrations in the soil. A negative relationship was observed with soil pH among N, P,S, Fe, Zn and Mn, while uptake availability of sulfur and nitrogen had positive relationship with allnutrients. Elemental sulfur at the rate of 5 t ha-1 and nitrogen had a significant contribution towardsuptake availability of N, P, S, Fe, Zn and Mn in both Al Zaid and Al Semaih soils. Based on experimentalfindings, elemental S at the rate of 5 tha-1 and N fertilizer (0.34 t ha-1) is suitable for the growth of maizeat both soils. Al Zaid soil possesses advantages over Al Semaih soil due to its high nutrient uptakeability.

Notes:

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