We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
It Is Time to Develop Sustainable Management of Agricultural Sulfur.
- Authors
Gerson, Jacqueline R.; Hinckley, Eve‐Lyn S.
- Abstract
Globally, sulfur (S) applications to croplands result in S inputs that often exceed historical atmospheric deposition. Sulfur is applied to crops as a fertilizer, fungicide, soil conditioner, pH regulator, and carrier for other elements. However, excess S in soils and aquatic ecosystems can have detrimental ecological and biogeochemical consequences, including soil base cation depletion, surface water acidification, hydrogen sulfide toxicity, and increased production of methyl mercury. The dichotomy between S benefits to crops and environmental consequences parallels that of nitrogen and phosphorus; however, there has not yet been a focus on developing sustainable S management plans in agriculture. We review the current literature on S cycling in agricultural systems and propose solutions that reduce S inputs, losses, and ecological consequences, including field applications of organic matter, adaptation of precision agriculture, and implementation of total maximum daily loads. We suggest opportunities for technological innovation, including analysis of remote sensing imagery to identify location and timing of S deficiencies and stresses, crop genetic modification to reduce S requirements, inoculation of plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to enhance plant S acquisition, and remediation of wetlands and other anoxic environments with high S loads. We conclude with areas for continued research on S biogeochemistry. Plain Language Summary: The amount of sulfur applied to croplands is increasing notably over the past few decades. Sulfur is applied for many reasons, including to meet crop nutritional demands and to regulate soil chemical conditions. However, large amounts of sulfur in the environment can have harmful impacts, as demonstrated by the consequences of acid deposition in the 1960s and 1970s. Thus, there is a need to better manage when, where, and how much sulfur is added in agriculture, similar to strategies for nitrogen and phosphorus. We propose several solutions to reduce the need for large sulfur inputs and reduce the amount of sulfur that is transported from the soil. These include applying organic matter to agricultural fields, using precision agriculture techniques, and adopting robust surface and groundwater monitoring plans. We also suggest that new innovations in technology—such as remote sensing, crop genetic modification, and wetland remediation—allow new opportunities to improve our management of sulfur. Key Points: It is critical to address optimal S applications in agricultural systems to meet crop needs while reducing environmental consequences of excess SField additions of organic matter, adaptation of precision agriculture, and robust surface and groundwater monitoring plans improve agricultural S managementPrecision agriculture using satellite imagery and crop genetic modifications may help manage crop S needs; remediation can reduce excess S
- Subjects
AGRICULTURE; TOTAL maximum daily load for water pollutants; WETLANDS; SULFUR; NITROGEN in soils; PHOSPHORUS in water; FARM management; GROUNDWATER monitoring
- Publication
Earth's Future, 2023, Vol 11, Issue 11, p1
- ISSN
2328-4277
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1029/2023EF003723