Effect of application of magnesium and sulphur on the growth, yield and uptake in rice

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the response of rice to application of magnesium and sulphur in a typical laterite soil, using rice (variety Jyothi) continuously for two seasons. Application of Mg had no influence either on the yield or uptake by the crop. Treatment receiving the application of sulphurbiologically activated by inoculation with Thiobacillus sp. and Aspergillus avomerii gave the maximum straw yield in both seasons of crop and thus a higher total dry matter yield, indicating its influence on the vegetative growth of the crop. While lack of influence of Mg application on the con tent of exchangeable Mg in soil was revealed, application of biologically activated sulphur was found to ensure continued availability of S throughout crop growth.