The distribution of sulphur in the soils and herbage of North West Pembrokeshire

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Abstract
SUMMARY In North West Pembrokeshire, sulphur was determined in soils sampled at 268 sites, and in pasture plants sampled at 172 sites. The sulphur contents of the topsoils ranged from 199 to 3392 mg/kg, with a mean of 710 mg/kg; and the S contents of the subsoils from 115 to 1344 mg/kg, with a mean of 356 mg/kg. Sulphur was concentrated in soils containing much organic matter. There was no clear relationship between plant and soil sulphur contents, though soil drainage influenced both. Poorly drained soils were richer in S than well-drained soils, whereas herbage on poorly drained soils accumulated less S than herbage growing on well-drained soils. Herbage S contents ranged from 0·180 to 0·560%, with a mean of 0·310%. If other factors, e.g. soil N, are not limiting, 14% of the herbage sampled in Pembrokeshire had less than the critical S level recommended by other workers for maximum dry matter yield.