Influence of different soil types and sulphur fertilizer rates on performance of Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Abstract

Sulphur has been known as a neglected plant nutrient. However, recently the sulphur nutrient has called the attention of soil scientists and plant nutritionists due to its significant role in crop production. A green-house experiment was carried out at North-West University Research Farm to investigate the effect of soil types and sulphur fertilizer rates on the performance of pea. The experiment design was 4×2 factorial fitted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatment factors consist of two soil types and four sulphur fertilizer rates. The parameters measured were plant height, numbers of leaves, numbers of branches, numbers of flowers, number of pods/plant, pod length, pod mass and seed mass. The taller plant height (13.82 and 20.7 cm) was obtained from pea planted on sandy soil at 56 and 70 DAP.  The pea supplied with 60kgS/ha had highest number of leaves (25.10 and 42.20) at 56 and 70 DAP. The highest number of pod/plant (1.00) was observed from pea cultivated on sandy loam. Pea fertilized with 90kgS/ha had highest number of pod/plant (4.04) and seed mass (0.82g). The association between soil types and yield parameters was positive and significant (R² = 0. 5630 and 0.5214). The sulphur fertilizer rates showed positive and non -significant association with growth and yield parameters of pea.

This showed that sandy loam sand supports the performance of pea. The sulphur rate at 60 kg S/ha enhanced the growth of pea while the application of 90 kg S/ha improved yield production of pea.