Effect of Various Nitrogen and Sulfur Sources on Maize-Wheat Yield and N:S Uptakes Under Two Different Climatic Conditions

Abstract

Balanced nutrition is imperative for efficient nutrient management and has an important role in enhancing crop yield. Sulfur application can increase the N use efficiency, the most required nutrient in maize-wheat cropping system, however N over-dosage may have detrimental effect on many other nutrients. During the 2019–2020 growing season, a field experiment was conducted in two different locations (Peshawar and Buner) to investigate the effect of various nitrogen and sulfur sources on maize-wheat productivity and N:S uptake. Nitrogen sources:urea and FYM were used at three levels: 90, 120, and 150 kg ha⁻¹ (50% inorganic from urea and 50% organic from FYM). One control and with five different sources of sulfur such as: elemental sulfur, gypsum, potassium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, and aluminum sulfate. In Peshawar 20 kg of sulfur ha⁻¹, whereas in Buner 40 kg produce higher yield and yield component of maize and wheat. In this experiment, we studied different maize and wheat growth parameters like 1000 grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, nitrogen and sulfur uptake. The results showed that application of 150 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen, (50% organic and 50% inorganic), had a significant influence on all growth parameters during growth periods in the two given seasons (Kharif and Rabi). The use of (50% organic and 50% inorganic) nitrogen sources @ 150 kg N ha⁻¹ produced higher yield of maize and wheat, which were followed up with other given treatments. 1000 grain weight, grain yield, and biological yield, nitrogen and sulfur uptake, were recorded highest in the treatment which received 20 kg S ha⁻¹ at Peshawar and 40 kg S ha⁻¹ at Buner as a source of ammonium sulfate followed by other sources of sulfur, but the control plots had the lowest. There was also a strong correlation between nitrogen and sulfur sources. The experimental units which received 150 kg N ha⁻¹ (50% organic and 50% inorganic) combined with 20 kg S ha⁻¹ at Peshawar and 40 kg S ha⁻¹ at Buner as source of ammonium sulfate had the highest 1000 grain weight, grain, and biological yield, as well as nitrogen and sulfur uptake. This experiment reveals that application of 150 kg N ha⁻¹ (50% organic, 50% inorganic) in combination with 20 kg S ha⁻¹ at Peshawar and 40 kg S ha⁻¹ at Buner as a source of ammonium sulfate produces higher maize-wheat yields and N:S uptake over time.