J. Soil. Nature. 1(3): November 2007 5 INFLUENCE OF SULPHUR ON NUTRIENT CONTENT AND UPTAKE BY RICE AND ITS BALANCE IN OLD BRAHMAPUTRA FLOODPLAIN SOIL M. N. RAHMAN 1 , S.M. SAYEM 2 , M.K.ALAM 1 , M.S.ISLAM 1 AND A.T.M.A.I.MONDOL 1 1 Scientific Officer, Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur, 2 Lecturer, Dept. of Soil Science, Hajee Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh Accepted for publication: September 13, 2007 ABSTRACT Rahman, M. N., Sayem, S.M., Alam, M.K., Islam, M.S. and Mondol, A.T.M.A.I. 2007. Influence of Sulphur on Nutrient Content and Uptake by Rice and Its Balance in Old Brahmaputra Floodplain Soil. J .Soil .Nature .1(3): 05-10 The experiment was conducted on a Non-Calcareous Dark Gray Floodplain Soil (Sonatola series) of BAU farm, Mymensingh during Boro season of 2004. The soil was silt loam having pH 6.8, organic matter 1.62%, available S 9 ppm and available P 7.62 ppm. There were five treatments viz. T 0 (control), T 1 (10 kg Sha -1 ), T 2 (20 kg Sha -1 ), T 3 (40 kg Sha -1 ) and T 4 (60 kg Sha -1 ). A randomized complete block design was followed with four replications. All plots received an equal dose of N, P, K and Zn. The highest N, P, K and protein content was recorded from treatment T 2 (20 kg Sha -1 ). On the other hand, the highest S, Ca and Mg content was recorded from treatment T 4 (60 kg Sha -1 ). However, the application of S fertilizer significantly increased protein, N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg content as well as their uptake over control. The S balance was positive where S was added as treatment combination. Negative S balance was recorded where no S was added (control). Key Words: Sulphur, nutrient uptake, floodplain soil INTRODUCTION Soil is the main source of plant nutrients. It supplies at least 16 nutrient elements to plants. Plant nutrients in soil whether naturally endowed or artificially maintained are major determinant of success or failure of a crop production system. Among the essential elements sulphur is very much beneficial for increasing the production of rice. Sulphur is one of the major essential nutrient elements to synthesis certain amino acids such as methionine, cystine, cysteine and some plant hormones; such as thiamine and biotin (De Datta, 1981).Recently, sulphur deficiencies in rice fields have been reported in different areas of Bangladesh. The practice of intensive cropping with modern varieties causes a marked depletion of inherent nutrient reserve in soils of Bangladesh. The nutrient depletion shows a risk of the prospect for higher crop production in this country. Sulphur deficiency in rice in Bangladesh was first detected at BRRI farm in Joydebpur in 1976 (Islam, 1978). Sulphur deficiency mainly arises under water-logged condition or in low land rice cultivation. Sulfur is reduced to a sulfide form under anoxic conditions in submerged paddy soils. Free hydrogen sulphide is generated and inhibits the rice root growth in paddy soils with low content of free iron oxide and high sulfate content. Sulphur content in soil should be estimated in the rice field to determine its proper quantity to be applied for maximizing grain yield and improving crop quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS The experiment was carried out during Boro season 2003-2004 at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh . The experimental soil was Sonatala silt loam, a member of Hyperthermic Aeric-Haplaquept. Initial soil samples were collected from a depth of 0 to 15 cm from the soil surface, on December 2003 after harvest of T. Aman. The soil samples were air-dried, ground, and sieved through 1-mm (20-mesh) sieve. The composite sample was stored in a clean plastic bag for physical and chemical analysis. Some of the chemical properties and texture of the test soil are given in Table 1. J.Soil.Nature. 1 (3):05-10 (November 2007) © 2006 Green World Foundation (GWF)