Influence of Sulphur Compost Application on Some Chemical Properties of Calcareous Soil and Consequent Responses of Hordeum Vulgare L. Plants

Amelioration of calcareous soil is essential to increase crop production and preserve the ecological environment in arid and semiarid regions. A pot experiment was carried out at the greenhouse of Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt to evaluate the efficiency of amending a calcareous soil with two type of sulphur compost for improving soil properties and its content of available macro-and micro-nutrients and growth of barley plants. Two types of sulphur compost were produced, the first one from adding S to compost during composting (DS) process and the other from mixing S with non-sulfurized compost after composting (AS). The additional S rates for both two types of compost were 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 %. Before planting, each one of sulphur compost was applied at rats of 0.0, 10.0 and 20.0 g kg-1 and mixed well with the soil. After 70 days of planting the plants were harvested. Dry matter yield of the harvested and its content of nutrients were determined. Also, soil sample was taken and analyzed for some chemical properties and its content of available nutrients. The Data showed that, in compared with control, both two types of applied sulphur compost had a positive effect on the studied soil properties and the growth parameters of cultivated plants. A decrease in calcareous soil pH, EC and the content of CaCO3 was observed, however an increase in soil CEC, OM and available macro-and micronutrients as a result of sulphur compost applications was induced. Sulphur compost applications were associated by an increase in plant dry matter yield and its content of macro- and micronutrients. So, the ameliorative influence of sulphur compost especially that carried out during composting period on chemical properties and productivity of calcareous soil was clearly occurred.