The importance of sulphur in agriculture is evident because plants require sulphur for the synthesis of essential amino acids, proteins, vitamins, and coenzymes and to activate certain enzymes. Advanced techniques like global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS) and precision agriculture facilitate soil secondary nutrient mapping, providing quantitative support for decision and policy-making to improve agricultural approaches for balanced nutrition. Thus, thematic maps help design appropriate strategies to enhance the productivity of crops. A study was carried out in the Nagapattinam district to assess sulphur status and soil properties, create a data bank, and prepare thematic maps. A total of 1631 geo-referenced surface soil samples covering 11 blocks in Nagapattinam district were collected randomly at 0-15 cm depth and analyzed for various soil properties, such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), free CaCO3. The overall soil reaction in the Nagapattinam district at different blocks was mainly neutral, with low soil salinity hazards. The data on organic carbon status in the soils was medium. The average free calcium carbonate status in the soils of different blocks revealed moderately calcareous. The average available sulphur was found to be in the range of 54.4 to 153 mg kg-1. Higher availability of sulphur with a combined average of 84.8 mg kg-1 was noticed in the soils of the entire district and could be attributed to the high organic carbon content and heavy texture of the soils.
Author(s) Details:
A.V. Deogade
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003, Tamil Nadu, India.
Shinde
ICAR- Research Complex for Eastern Region, Farming System Research Centre for Hill and Plateau Region, Ranchi, 834010, Jharkhand, India.
Chitdeshwari
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003, Tamil Nadu, India.
Muthumanickam
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003, Tamil Nadu, India.
Maheswari
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Directorate of Natural Resource Management, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003, Tamil Nadu, India.
Recent Global Research Developments in The Crucial Role of Sulfur in Agricultural Productivity
Sulfur Deficiency in Agro-Ecosystems:
Sulfur deficiency is becoming more common worldwide due to factors like agronomic practices, reduced sulfur emissions, and non-sulfur fertilizers.
Nearly 46% of soils in India are deficient in sulfur, resulting in lower crop yields [1].
Sulfur is essential for oilseed, pulse, and cereal crops.
Functions of Sulfur in Plants:
Sulfur is as important as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for plant growth.
It’s a structural component of proteins and enzymes.
Sulfur metabolites like glutathione protect plants against oxidative stress, heavy metals, and xenobiotics [2].
Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacteria (SOB):
SOB play a vital role in plant productivity and soil reclamation.
They oxidize sulfur, making it available for plant uptake.
SOB can be used as bioinoculants to enhance crop growth and sustainable production [1].
Nanoscale Sulfur:
Research explores the effects of sulfur (including nano-sulfur) on crop species.
Understanding transport and transformation mechanisms in the soil-plant system is crucial for sustainable agriculture [3].
References
- Praveen Ranadev, Ashwin Revanna, Davis Joseph Bagyaraj, Ambika H Shinde, Sulfur oxidizing bacteria in agro ecosystem and its role in plant productivity—a review, Journal of Applied Microbiology, Volume 134, Issue 8, August 2023, lxad161, https://doi.org/10.1093/jambio/lxad161
- Zhao, Fj., Tausz, M., De Kok, L.J. (2008). Role of Sulfur for Plant Production in Agricultural and Natural Ecosystems. In: Hell, R., Dahl, C., Knaff, D., Leustek, T. (eds) Sulfur Metabolism in Phototrophic Organisms. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration, vol 27. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6863-8_21
- Natalia A. Semenova, Dmitriy E. Burmistrov, Sergey A. Shumeyko and Sergey V. GudkovAgronomy, 2024, 14, 1646.DOI: 10.3390/agronomy14081646
