Sulfur-containing fertilizers influence on sulfur balance at potato cultivation

The results of studies on the sulfur fertilizer effect on sulfur balance in potato cultivation in the conditions of sod-podzolic soils of the Eastern Nonchernozem belt have been introduced. The microfield experiment was laid in 2013 at the agrobiostation station of Mari State University. It was established that elemental sulfur at a dose of 30 kg/ha increased tuber productivity from 277.0 dt/ha to 291.0 dt/ha on average over three years of research. Tuber productivity has increased with sulfur dose increasing up to 60 and 90 kg/ha and amounted respectively 321.0 dt/ha and 304.0 dt/ha. Sulfur application in the form of ammonium sulfate in similar doses increased the potato tubers productivity to 318.0, 341.0 and 315.0 dt/ha, respectively. Sulfur-containing fertilizers application increased the sulfur amount in potato tubers from 0.12% to 0.15%, and in the tops from 0.15% to 0.19%. Sulfur-containing fertilizers have been applied, crops sulfur removal increased for the main and co-products. The largest tubers and potato tops sulfur removal of 18.2 and 18.0 kg/ha was marked when sulfur was introduced in the form of elemental sulfur and ammonium sulfate at a dose of 60 kg/ha. Potato cultivation without sulfur-containing fertilizers led to a negative balance of sulfur and reduced its reserves in the soil. Elemental sulfur introduction at a dose of 30 kg/ha provided a positive sulfur balance, which amounted to 5.1 kg/ha. Sulfur introduction at a dose of 60 kg/ha provided balance of 16.1 kg/ha, and at a dose of 90 kg/ha it has increased to 34.8 kg/ha. Sulfur introduction in similar doses in the form of ammonium sulfate formed a positive sulfur balance, which amounted to 2.8, 16.3 and 32.3 kg/ha, respectively.