FACTORS AFFECTING SULFUR MINERALIZATION Sulfur content of organic matter Mineralization of sulfur depends on the sulfur content of the

decomposing material in much the same way that nitrogen mineralization depends on the nitrogen content. Smaller amounts of S042- are liberated from low sulfur containing residue, which is similar to nitrogen mineralization. At or below a C/S ratio of approximately 200/1 only mineralization of sulfur occurs. Source of mineralizable sulfur Because of the contribution of sulfur mineralization to plant-available SO42-, there is interest in characterizing the labile sulfur reserve in soil organic matter. Most of the available sulfur removed by plants probably comes from the ester SO42- fraction although other organic sulfur compounds are also involved. Soil temperature Mineralization of sulfur is severely impeded at 10C, increases with increasing temperatures from 20 to 40, and decreases at temperatures >40C.This temperature effect on sulfur mineralization is consistent with the relatively greater sulfur content of soils formed in northern climates.

Soil moisture Mineralization of sulfur in soils incubated at low (<15%) and high (>40%) moisture levels is reduced compared to the content of 60% of field moisture-holding capacity. Gradual moisture changes in the range between field capacity and wilting point have little influence on S mineralization. However, drastic differences in soil moisture conditions can produce a flush of sulfur mineralization in some soils. Increased availability of sulfur due to soil wetting and drying may explain the observations of increased plant growth after dry periods in sulfur deficient soils.

Soil pH

The effect of pH on sulfur mineralization is not clear. In soils from other regions, the amount of sulfur released is directly proportional to pH up to a value of 7.5. At pH values above 7.5 in these soils, mineralization increases more rapidly suggesting that an additional factor such as chemical hydrolysis might be involved. Formation of S042- in some soils has been found to be proportional to the amount of CaCO3 applied and not to the resulting pH. Near-neutral soil pH is normally expected to encourage microbial activity and S mineralization. Presence or absence of plants Soils generally mineralize more sulfur in the presence of growing plants than in their absence. Time and cultivation As with nitrogen, when soil is first cultivated, its sulfur content declines rapidly. With time an equilibrium level is reached that is characteristic of the climate, cultural practices, and soil type. Before reaching this point, the rate of sulfur mineralization gradually diminishes and becomes inadequate to meet plant needs. In western Canada, the C/N/S ratios of virgin soils are larger than those of the corresponding cultivated surface soils. Reduction of this ratio on cultivation suggests that sulfur is relatively more resistant to mineralization than carbon and nitrogen or that the losses of organic carbon and nitrogen are proportionately greater than those of nitrogen.

Sulfates activity Sulfates enzymes that hydrolyze these esters and release SO42- may be important in the mineralization process.