Revisiting the role of sulfur in crop production: A narrative review

Abstract

A review of the role of sulfur (S) in crop production is presented, with a particular emphasis on major crops including corn (Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Specifically, S demand and availability, nutritive effects in improving yield, its effect on quality in major crops, different diagnostic methods, and future perspectives of S research are discussed. Sulfur plays a crucial role in synthesizing proteins, chlorophyll, enzymes, and vitamins, as well as influencing general metabolic and photosynthetic mechanisms. In the early 1950s, S deficiency was only noted in specific soils, but now it is becoming universally deficient. The amount of plant-available S in the soil has decreased by 34–86 % between 2000 and 2020, leaving crop production at risk. The reasons for widespread S deficiency include lower industrial atmospheric deposition, stricter environmental laws, prevailing management practices such as selection of high-yielding varieties, increased use of low S fertilizers, decreased use of S containing fungicides and insecticides, and in some cases reduced tillage intensity. Nonetheless, researchers have attempted to trans-genetically produce more S-use-efficient crops, explored possibilities where S metabolites could contribute to synergism in interactions of plant and rhizosphere microorganisms in enhancing S mineralization. Moreover, proven strategies tailored to S are necessary to increase site-specific management. Owing to the significant role of S in crop production, it is important to explore improvement in S uptake, S use efficiency, systematic S fertilizing strategies, and precise and timely S diagnostic tools.

Keywords

• Nutrient use efficiency
• Soil fertility
• Sulfur diagnostic tools
• Optical sensors
• Cereal crops
• And plant physiology