A field study was conducted to investigate the effect of sulphur fertilization on growth of opium poppy in alkaline calcareous soils of south Rajasthan. Sulphur application significantly increased dry matter accumulation/plant, leaf area index, crop growth rate and leaf area duration. Chlorophyll content of leaves of opium poppy increased while leaf sap pH reduced by S application. Increasing levels of S up to 150 kg/ ha enhanced growth of crop, whereas, chlorophyll content of leaves increased up to 200 kg/ha sulphur application. Among three sources of S, elemental S proved to be a better source than gypsum and gypsum + elemental S (1:1) in respect of growth in alkaline calcareous soils. Gypsum + elemental S (1:1) also resulted in highest chlorophyll content in leaves at 110–115 DAS. This study conclude that application of S @ 150 kg/ha through elemental sulphur can improve opium poppy plant growth and leaf chlorophyll content and can reduce leaf sap pH significantly.
Growth, gypsum, opium poppy, sulphur
