SULPHUR FERTILIZATION REQUIREMENTS OF SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIAN SOILS

Abstract

Studies were conducted in the greenhouse and in the field to evaluate the Sulphur requirements of maize selected South Western Nigerian soils.

The internal critical Sulphur concentration in maize tissue averaged 0.130%. The values were lower in savanna soils (0.112-0.130%) than in the forest soils (0.1730.204%). The external critical level of Sulphur for optimum growth of maize was found to be 5.9 ppm when soil was extracted with Ca(H₂PO₄)₂. The Sulphur fertilizer need of South Western Nigerian soils ranged from nil to 5kg/ha. There was an appreciable residual effect of Sulphur fertilizer application.