Elemental sulphur with sulphur oxidizing bacteria enhances phosphorus availability and improves growth and yield of wheat in calcareous soil

Sulphur-oxidizing bacteria can alter the root environment by oxidizing sulphur and lowering pH to increase nutrient availability. A field experiment was conducted on calcareous soil to assess the impact of elemental sulfur and farmyard manure enriched with sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (named microbial soil conditioner; MSC) on P and micronutrient availability, as well as on wheat growth. Five treatments, CK (Control), NPK (recommended dose of NPK), MSC (microbial soil conditioner), 1/2 P + MSC (half recommended dose of P with a full recommended dose of NK + MSC) and NPK +MSC (recommended dose of NPK + MSC), were used. Data regarding plant physiological and yield parameters were analyzed. The results showed that MSC + NPK and 1/2 P significantly enhanced the nutrient availability, particularly phosphorus and micronutrients. The highest P concentrations in wheat grain, straw and yield were obtained by the recommended dose of NPK + MSC following half recommended dose of P with NK+ MSC. This work advocates that application of sulphur and farmyard manure enriched with sulphur-oxidizing bacteria could be a beneficial strategy for improving nutrient availability, mainly phosphorus and micronutrients ultimately with improved plant growth in calcareous soils.