Sulfur application alleviates chromium stress in maize and wheat

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the influence of increasing doses of chromium (Cr) (26, 39, and 52 mg kg-1 soil) and elemental sulfur (S) (60 mg kg-1 soil) on growth, yield, and mineral nutrition in wheat and maize. Macro- A nd micronutrients and Cr concentrations were determined in the aboveground parts of plants. All examined doses of Cr caused a marked decrease in the fresh and dry weight of maize. Wheat was more tolerant than maize, and lower Cr doses caused a small but statistically significant increase in the total yield. Wheat accumulated more than twofold Cr than maize, and the concentrations increased with higher Cr concentrations in the soil. The application of S significantly improved the total biomass production and lowered the Cr content in both plants. Cr changed the mineral nutrition in both cereals, but the pattern of changes observed was not the same. Applying S alleviated some adverse effects caused by the Cr. Hence, it is concluded that the application of elemental S may be an effective strategy to reduce adverse effects in plants grown on soil contaminated by heavy metals, especially Cr.