Effect of Sulphur Application on Wheat Production in Calcareous Soil under Saline Irrigation Water Conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Desert Research Center, Matareya, Egypt

2 Soil and Water Dept., Faculty of Agric., Suez Canal Univ., Ismailia, Egypt. 41522

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Ras Sudr, South of Sinai. The experimental soil was cultivated by
wheat (Triticum Vulgare L.). Ras Sudr soil is calcareous in nature and is characterized by high content of CaCO3
(53.9%) and total soluble salts (EC, 29.6 dSm-1). The investigated soil is irrigated with ground water (EC about 6.18
dSm-1), which is considered to be the main source of irrigation water in this area. The effect of irrigation periods (7, 14,
21 days), phosphorus applications 200 kg and 400 kg/fed. superphosphate (30 and 60 kg P2O5/fed.) and sulphur levels
(0, 100, 300 and 500 kg S/fed.) on the nutrient content of wheat at the vegetative, flowering and maturity stages of plant
growth. The interaction effect of sulphur, phosphorus treatments and irrigation periods on the straw and grain yields of
wheat plant was studied. The results indicated that sulphur application under 200 kg superphosphate (30 kg P2O5/fed)
significantly increased of the grain and straw yields under different irrigation periods. In contrary, increasing sulphur
application under 400 kg superphosphate (60 kg P2O5/fed) decreased grain yield gradually by increasing sulphur
application more than 100 kg S/fed. While the straw yield increased by increasing sulphur application up to 500 kg
S/fed.

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