EFFECT OF SULFUR APPLICATION WITH Thiobacillus AND Rhizobium INOCULATION ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND PEA PLANT PERFORMANCE

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Soil & Water Dept Fac. of Agrfc., AI-AzhaT Unlv., Cairo, Egypt

2 Microbiology Unit, Botany Dept., Fac. of Agrfc., AI-AzhaT Unlv., Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

A pOI experiment was carried cot at the green house of the FacuUy of
Agriculture, Al-Azhar University. Cairo, Egypt, to study the effect of sulfur application
with inoculation with Thiobacillus and Rhizobium as biofertilil2ltion under two
methods of sowing; post-plow and dry sowing on soil properties and pea growth. The
obtained results suggest that soil amendment with elemental sutfur at as high as
300kg S.(ed·' proved to be highly significant in promoting better fertility status that
led to a remarkable plant response as plant height and dry matter production as well
as better planl chemical composuion. Also, inoculation with biofertiJizer (symbiotic
nitrogen-fixing bacteria; rhtzobia, and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria; thiobacilli) proved 10 be
very efficient in the same respect. Applying elemental sulfur together with both
bacteria proved 10 be very effective in lowering pH values of the studied soil rendering
mosl nutrient elements (macro and micro ones) available to plant roots absorption.
ihis eventually enhances plant growth and performance towards desired vegetative
growth then better yield of pea plants. This work has also exhibited the positive role
of providing enough moisture in the soil rhizosphere. This moisture should be
sufficient for good seed germination and survival, and enhanced activity of micro-
organisms, as well. This is Ihe case with dry sowing method.