Leaf analysis as a guide to sulfur fertilization of legumes

Abstract

Tissue analysis is a diagnostic tool which can be used in identifying S deficiencies and predicting S fertilizer requirements of crops. A water extraction procedure for removal and measurement of inorganic sulfate in plant leaves was developed and assessed as a measure of S availability in four legume crops. Relationships between sulfate concentration and yield were determined for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba) and lentil (Lens culinaris) grown on two Saskatchewan soils, with five rates of S fertilizer supply, in a growth chamber experiment. The sulfate concentration in the leaf tissue was measured at the time of seventh leaf and early flowering stages to estimate the current S status of the plants. The results showed significant relationships between the water extractable sulfate in the leaf and the supply of available S in the soils. The water extraction procedure is recommended for routine analyses because of its simplicity and sensitivity.