Plant nutrient status of cabbage and various soil characteristics as influenced by different sources and levels of sulphur

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2012-13 and 2013-14 to study the influence of different sources and levels of sulphur on plant nutrient status of cabbage and various soil characteristics. The experiment was laid in a randomized block design with three replications. Three sources of sulphur i.e., gypsum, elemental sulphur and potassium sulphate with three levels i.e., 40, 70 and 100 kg S ha-1 for each source were given in the experiment. Potassium sulphate as a source of sulphur recorded highest nitrogen (3.3%), phosphorus (0.017%), potassium (2.15%) and sulphur (0.41%) in cabbage. Increasing levels of sulphur up to 70 kg ha-1 significantly increased the nitrogen (2.9%), potassium (2.1%) and sulphur (0.41%) in cabbage. However, there is a non-significant effect of levels of sulphur on phosphorus content. Elemental sulphur as a source of sulphur recorded the highest available sulphur (12.7 kg ha-1) followed by gypsum and potassium sulphate. Increasing levels of sulphur upt o 100 kg ha-1, there was a significant increase in the
electrical conductivity (0.142 d Sm-1), organic carbon (0.99%), available nitrogen (318.3 kg ha-1), available phosphorus (24.5 kg ha-1), available potassium (168.6 kg ha-1) and available sulphur (11.5 kg ha-1) status of the soil. Maximum head yield and seed yield were recorded with potassium sulphate as a source and increase in level, increased yield up to 100 kg S ha-1.