Abstract

This study aimed to find out the efficacy of sulphur application times on the sulphur accumulation and distribution, especially in grain in summer maize in fluvo-aquic soil, the field experiment was conducted with two varieties (Nongda108 and Jinhai 5) by application 40 kg/ha sulphur fertilizer as (NH₄)₂ SO₄ at different growth stages (sowing, V6 and silking stage). Sulphur accumulation in shoot was significantly affected by the times of sulphur application. When sulphur application with treatment T2 (50% sulphur at sowing +50% sulphur at silking stage), the sulphur accumulation and concentration in shoot at maturity stage were significantly increased for both varieties and was also significantly higher than that in sulphur convention application way T1, i.e., 100% sulphur at sowing. Compared with Jinhai 5, Nongda108 accumulated more sulphur in shoot, but no obvious difference existed in shoot sulphur concentration between varieties. For all treatments, most sulphur accumulated was distributed into kernels and leaves for both varieties and the order of sulphur concentration was: leaf> husks >stalk-kernel>cob. The maximum sulphur concentration in kernel was found in T1 (100% sulphur at sowing) and T2 (50% sulphur at sowing +50% sulphur topdressed at silking stage) treatments for Nongda 108 and in T2 treatment for Jinhai 5. With above results, it could be concluded that split S application (50% S at sowing +50% S topdressed at silking stage) would be more effective for improving plant S nutrient status in fluvo-aquic soil condition.

Keywords:

Maize, split application, sulphur concentration, sulphur harvest index, ^{Zea mays} L,

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