Effects of previous elemental sulfur applications on oxidation of additional applied elemental sulfur in soils

摘要

Oxidation of elemental sulfur (S0) in 20 Chinese agricultural soils was tested and the effects of previous S0 applications on the oxidation of additional applied S0 in selected soils were investigated using laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments. Results showed that sulfur oxidative capacities presented great variability among 20 tested soils, with a coefficient of variation of 92.4%. There were no significant relationships between S0 oxidation and physical and chemical properties of the selected soil. Previous S0 amendment significantly increased the oxidation rate of additional applied S0. These stimulatory effects after the first applications of S0 were greater than those after two applications. The percent increase in S0 oxidation rate due to S0 pretreatment was negatively correlated with the oxidation capacities of soils before S0 pretreatments. The significant reduction of sulfur oxidation in autoclaved soils and significant increase in S0 oxidation after inoculation with S0-treated soil suspension demonstrated that microbial oxidation was mainly responsible for the enhancement of soil oxidation ability after previous S0 amendments.