Studies on nutrient distribution in some Zambian soils with special reference to sulphur using GIS (Geographic Information Systems), 2: Evaluation of plant-available sulphur and its distribution in major Zambian soils

Relationship between the contents of soil sulphur and plant sulphur was studied in order to evaluate the distribution of plant-available sulphur in Zambian soils. Four soils series with distinct differences in texture and organic carbon content had been selected among representative benchmark soil s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Soil science and plant nutrition (Tokyo) 2005-12, Vol.51 (7)
Main Authors: Tsuji, T.(Japan International Cooperation Agency, Lusaka (Zambia). Zambia Office), Mambo, A, Phiri, L.K, Msoni, R, Sokotela, S.B, Yerokun, O.A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AZUFRE
DISPONIBILIDAD DE NUTRIENTES
DISPONIBILITE D'ELEMENT NUTRITIF
DISTRIBUCION GEOGRAFICA
DISTRIBUTION GEOGRAPHIQUE
EXPERIMENTACION EN CONTENEDOR
EXPERIMENTATION EN POT
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY
POT EXPERIMENTATION
SOUFRE
SULPHUR
ZAMBIA
ZAMBIE
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Summary:Relationship between the contents of soil sulphur and plant sulphur was studied in order to evaluate the distribution of plant-available sulphur in Zambian soils. Four soils series with distinct differences in texture and organic carbon content had been selected among representative benchmark soil series and used to cultivate maize (Zea mays L.) as a test plant in pots. From the results of the pot experiment, critical levels of sulphur deficiency in plants and soils were evaluated and the levels of available sulphur for maize nutrition were rated into four classes using data on the relative yield of maize. The optimum method to determine the available sulphur content of the soils was applied to the analysis of other benchmark soils. Satisfactory regression models for assessing the relation between the content of available soil sulphur with other soil constituents among benchmark soil could not be identified. A distribution map for available sulphur was drawn in a step-by-step format by using a different scale of the soil map, soil units and the legends of soil map databases. As a result, it was confirmed that sulphur-deficient and marginal areas were widely distributed throughout the country. Finally, soil acidity problems associated with sulphur application, the inconsistency of the content of available sulphur with that of total sulphur and limitation of the map utility were examined.
ISSN:0038-0768
1747-0765