Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum) to nitrogen and sulphur and their residual effect on succeeding pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum)

An experiment was conducted during 1996–97 and 1997–98 to study the effect of nitrogen and sulphur on productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.] and succeeding pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.emend. Stuntz]. Application of 120 kg N/ha enhanced the grain and straw yields of wheat by 63.5 and 30.1%, respectively, over 30 kg N/ha. Increasing levels of sulphur up to 40 kg/ha increased the grain and straw yields of wheat by 26.28 and 13.9% respectively, over 0 kg S/ha. The grain and stover yields of succeeding pearlmillet were enhanced by 0.80 and 2.00 q/ha, respectively, at 40 kg S/ha applied to preceding wheat over 17.2 and 42.9 q/ha obtained under 0 kg S/ha. Further, application of 40 kg S/ha significantly improved the available P and S content in soil after harvest of wheat and pearlmillet. Application of nitrogen to wheat did not bring any change in grain and stover yields of succeeding pearlmillet and soil fertility.