Optimization of curcumin temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrizha Roxb.) on calcareous marginal land under teak

Temulawak produces bioactive compounds that have antioxidant activity and changes in its chemical composition are caused by environmental pH. Sulphur is an essential nutrient for plants and a constituent of several coenzymes and vitamins that play a role in plant metabolism. Marginal calcareous land in Tuban is generally used as teak production forest, because food crops cannot grow optimally in this land. Temulawak is a shade-tolerant plant that can grow well in conditions of low light intensity. The objective of this research is to obtain the appropriate goat manure and sulphur fertilizer dosages for temulawak planted beneath teak stands on calcareous marginal soil in order to maximize its yield and quality. The field experiment was RCBD with three replications and two factors: manure level (10, 15 and 20 t ha-1) and ZA level (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1). The results showed that a higher fresh weight of rhizomes per clump was obtained in combination of 10 and 15 ha-1 manures and 40 kg ha-1 sulphur fertilizer. Similar high yield is obtained when 20 t ha-1 of manure is applied in combination with 80 kg ha-1 of sulphur. In addition, a higher curcumin content and antioxidant activity were obtained in plant treated with 10 t ha-1 manure without S fertilizer. Similar high curcumin content and antioxidant activity of the rhizome were also obtained from rhizome treated with 15 t ha-1 of manure in combination with 40 kg ha-1 sulphur fertilizer and 20 t ha-1 manure without sulphur fertilizer.

Evaluation of the Sulphur-Supplying Ability of Soils to Support Plant Growth and Assessment of Relative Crop Response to Sulphur Application through Neubauer Technique

Sulphur plays a vital role in the nutrition of oilseeds and pulses. Along with nitrogen and phosphorus, it plays an important role in the formation of proteins and is involved in the metabolic and enzymatic processes of all living cells. Several biological techniques have been studied in order to assess sulphur deficiency or sufficiency in different groups of sulphur fertilizer for achieving the optimum yield of crops of which Neubauer technique is generally considered as one such tool that can be used for piloting the sulphur supplying capacity of the soils to supplement its requirement for the establishment of the plant. Surface (0-15 cm) soil samples from typical rice and pulse growing fields spread over the dominant soil groups of West Bengal which belong under 16 identified soil series were collected for this study. In order to assess sulphur availability in soils Neubauer technique was employed. Under sulphur treatment, the lowest dry matter yield and uptake by shoot was recorded in Bankul soil. Among the soils, the lowest root dry matter yield at control treatment was recorded in patapahari soil and the highest was in Hijalgara soil. A similar trend was also observed in case of S uptake by the shoot. While highest dry matter yield and maximum sulphur uptake by shoot was registered in Sukhnibasa and kusmi soil respectively. Likewise for N, P and K elements, the Neubauer technique may be used as one of the biological techniques for evaluating S response to crops as well as S supplying capacity of the soil to support plant growth.

Assessing the Potential of Polymer Coated Urea and Sulphur Fertilization on Growth, Physiology, Yield, Oil Contents and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Sunflower Crop under Arid Environment

Nitrogen and sulphur are fundamental macronutrients for the production of sunflower crop. Nitrogen is required consistently in larger amounts for sunflower production while common urea has more losses due to high solubility. On the other hand, sulphur application increases oil contents and availability of other essential nutrients (N, P, and K). Therefore, combined application of polymer coated urea with sulphur fertilization might be a promising option which can increase achene yield, oil contents, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). However, no particular studies have been conducted to explore the main and interactive effects of polymer coated urea and sulphur fertilization on growth, physiology, yield, oil contents, and NUE under arid field conditions. Hence, the current field experiment consisted of two nitrogen fertilizers [polymer coated urea (PCU) and common urea (CU)] and three sulphur fertilizer rates [S0 (0), S1 (30) and S2 (60) kg ha−1)] in a split-plot arrangement under randomized complete block design (RCBD) during spring season of 2019 and 2020. Experimental results revealed that growth, physiology, yield, oil contents, and NUE of sunflower crop were significantly improved with the application of nitrogen fertilizers, sulphur fertilizer rates, and their interaction. Meanwhile, NUE, achene yield and oil contents were increased by 16.0–17.2%, 16.5–17.0%, and 2.96–3.19% respectively with the application of PCU compared with CU. Furthermore, NUE, achene yield and oil contents were also increased by 12.8–13.3%, 13.1–13.7%, and 10.7–10.9%, respectively, due to sulphur fertilization of 60 kg ha−1compared with no sulphur application. Similarly, NUE, achene yield, and oil contents were increased by 32.9–39.5%, 31.7–32.6%, and 13.1–13.2% respectively with the application of PCU in combination with sulphur fertilization of 60 kg ha−1compared with CU × S0, which also evidenced a clear and positive interaction between nitrogen and sulphur. Conclusively, PCU (130 kg ha−1) in combination with sulphur fertilization of 60 kg ha−1 is promising option for obtaining higher achene yield, oil contents, and NUE for sunflower crop under arid environment, and hence, it might be a good agronomic adaptation strategy for sustainable production of sunflower.

Relative efficiency of different sources of sulphur on yield and soil nutrient status in kharif rice (Oryza sativa)

A field experiment was carried out in order to study the relative efficacy of different sources of sulphur in kharif rice (Cv. Swarna Sub 1) under mid-central table land zone of Odisha. It was carried out in RBD with 10 treatments and 3 replications. Four different sources of sulphur (Single Super Phosphate, Calcium Sulphate, Elemental S0 and Navaratna as (20-20-0-13) were used with two methods of application as basal & top dressing to rice crop during Kharif season. The treatment details consists as T1 = Control (No Sulphur), T2 = Basal application (B.A) of 30 kg S ha-1 through Calcium Sulphate (CaSO4), T3 = Basal application of 30 kg S ha-1 through Elemental S ( ES ) , T4 = Basal application of 30 kg S ha-1 (through SSP) , T5 = Basal application of 30 kg S ha-1 (through 20-20-0-13) , T6 = Twice application of 15 kg S ha-1 as basal and top dressing through CaSO4, T7= Twice application of 15 kg S ha-1 as Basal application & top dressing through ES , T8 = Twice application of 15 kg S ha-1 through SSP each at Basal application & top dressing, T9 = Twice application of 15 kg S ha-1 as Basal application and top dressing through (20-20-0-13) & T10 = Basal application of 30 kg S ha-1 through CaSO4 and SSP @1:1 ratio . Significantly highest pooled mean grain yield (5.41 t ha-1) and straw yield of (5.62 t ha-1) were recorded with T7, whereas the lowest values were recorded with (control) T1 (4.1 t ha-1 & 4.31 t ha-1 respectively). Among different sources of sulphur, the grain yield of rice varied significantly and it followed the trend as Elemental Sulphur (ES) > CaSO4 > SSP > (20-20-0-13). Spilt application of sulphur fertilizer showed a beneficial effect on S uptake and translocation of micronutrients like Fe, Mn, and Zn. The sulphur economic yield efficiency ratio also inversely varied with S applications.

Evaluation of a sprayable elemental sulphur fertilizer under field conditions in Alberta

Elemental sulphur (ES) fertilizers have high S content, but may not be effective in the year of application due to the time required to oxidize. Rapid oxidation may be possible if the ES has a large surface area in contact with the soil. We evaluated the efficacy of Sulgro 70, a micronized ES fertilizer that is sprayed onto the soil surface, in eight field trials in southern and central Alberta over a two-year period. Under dry conditions in southern Alberta, the relative efficacy of Sulgro 70 to increase S supply to ion-exchange membranes was 22% during the first four-week period after seeding and 53% during the second four-week period after seeding, compared to ammonium sulphate (AS) sprayed on the soil surface. Under wetter conditions in central Alberta, the relative efficacy of Sulgro 70 to increase S supply was variable (51 to 201%) during the first four-week period after seeding and 56% during the second four-week period after seeding. Based on increases in biomass S concentration in three trials where the unfertilized control had low S concentration (<3 g S kg 1), the relative efficacy of Sulgro 70 was 34%. Canola seed yield was not increased by application of AS nor Sulgro 70 in any of the trials. Sulgro 70 sprayed on the soil surface oxidized appreciably during the first eight weeks after seeding and, with suitable management, has the potential to meet canola S requirements in the year of application.

Managment of sulphur fertilizer in forage sorghum crop cultivated in eutrophic Cambisol with alkaline pH

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of soil fertilization with sulfur-based fertilizers, sulfate and elemental sulfur forms on biomass production, nutrient characteristics of sorghum and soil chemical properties. The experiment was carried out in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme (four sulfur sources: single superphosphate, agricultural gypsum, elemental sulfur powder and elemental sulfur granulated with bentonite, and four sulfur doses: 0, 40, 80, 120 mgdm-3) using four replications in a completely randomized design, being cultivated in pots under greenhouse conditions. The sorghum was cultivated for a period of 51 days after emergence of the seedlings. The shoot dry mass, shoot macronutrients content, root and soil and pH of the soil were evaluated. There were interactions between sources and sulfur doses in the variables such as shoot dry mass, sulfur in the root, sulfur and calcium in the soil. Elemental sulfur (granulate) showed lower concentrations of phosphorus, sulfur and N:S ratio in the shoot. The concentrations of potassium, calcium and magnesium did not show significant differences, both for the shoot and the root. The pH of the soil was reduced depending on the sources and doses of elemental sulfur. The sources and doses of sulfur did not influence the levels of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium in the soil. The elemental sulfur in the form of powder is the best source of sulfur for forage sorghum cultivated in soil with alkaline pH.