ARS | Publication request: Response of mustard greens to gypsum in sulfur deficient light and heavy textured soils

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 2, 2009
Publication Date: June 1, 2009
Citation: Makus, D.J. 2009. Response of mustard greens to gypsum in sulfur deficient light and heavy textured soils. HortScience. 45(4):516.

Technical Abstract: Field-grown mustard greens, Brassica juncea (L.), ‘Florida Broadleaf’ were direct seeded on 12 Nov. 08 into light- and heavy-textured low sulfur soils near Weslaco, TX (Lat. 26° 08'). In order to determine the effects of added soil sulfur (S) on leaf blade S, rates of 0, 560, 1120, and 2240 kg/ha of gypsum (23% Ca and16.5% S) were applied and incorporated to a depth of 15 cm on 7 Nov. 2008. Highest gypsum rates improved soil test S (as S04) by 24 to 29 fold. Mustard greens grown in the heavier soil were greater in weight, marketable leaf area, and had the largest average area per leaf compared to those grown in the lighter textured soil. Plant stand and yield were improved linearly (L) by increased gypsum application to the heavy and light textured soils, respectively. In both soils, the optimum rate for improving plant number per meter of row, individual plant weight, marketable leaf area per plant and average area per leaf was 1120 kg/ha. The effect of added gypsum on leaf blade S was linear in the light textured soil and quadratic in the heavier textured soil. In both soils, leaf blade S was correlated with Ca (r=0.53**) and negatively with Na (r=-0.35*).