Sulphur

Safflower responds to S fertilization in soils low to medium in available sulphur. Significant response upto 15 kg S/ha in Satara district anfd 30 kg/ha in Parbhani district of Maharashtra and in Malwa Plateau of Madhya Pradesh under irrigation; upto 30 kg/ha in Akola district (Maharashtra) and 45 kg/ha in Solapur district (Maharashtra) under rainfed conditions has been obtained.

Single super phosphate in Satara, Akola, Solapur and Malwa Plateau and gypsum in Parbhani were ideal sources of sulphur. In saline soils of Bhai region of Gujarat, 45 kg S/ha through ammonium sulphate and in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, 45 kg S/ha through single super phosphate is recommended.

Yield advantage due to sulphur fertilization over no application was 20 to 25% under rainfed conditions and 30 to 40% under irrigated conditions depending on sulphur and moisture availability in the soil.