Effect of sulphur on yield and its uptake in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and their residual effect on succeeding wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A field experiment was conducted during 1998–2000 to study the effect of sulphur on pod yield and S uptake in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and their residual effect on succeeding wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) using 8 soils of old alluvial plains of Tonk district of Rajasthan. Application of S @ 20, 40 and 60 kg/ha gave 18.8, 27.5 and 29.2% higher pod yield over the control in all the soils. Among the soils, maximum pod yield of groundnut was recorded in sandy-loam soil (14.57 q/ha) followed by loamy sand (14.02 q/ha) and sandy soil (13.19 q/ha). The S uptake by pods increased significantly with increasing levels of sulphur and maximum uptake (10.89 kg/ha) was noticed with application of 60 kg S/ha. Residual effect of sulphur @ 20, 40 and 60 kg/ha application increased the grain yield of wheat by 10.4, 20.7 and 22.4%, respectively, over the control. Similar trend was found in straw yield of wheat. Residual effect of sulphur also increased the S uptake by wheat significantly.