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Sulfur Accumulation in Tall Fescue, Orchardgrass, and Alfalfa¹

Sulfur nutrition of forages and its utilization by animals are poorly understood. The availability of S to animals apparently is different among forage species. Sulfur accumulation and distribution were examined in seedlings of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), orchardgrass (Dacfylis glomerata L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Seedlings were grown in half-strength Hoagland's No. 1 solution with or without 0.5 mM SO₄ added to the nutrient solution. When the seedlings were approximately 1 month old, S accumulation kinetic and pH studies were conducted utilizing ³⁵S-SO₄ to measure S accumulation in shoots and roots. Sulfur accumulation in plant parts and accumulation rates were higher in those plants previously grown without SO₄ than in those plants previously grown with SO₄. The differences were due to a greater concentration gradient between the nutrient solution and the plant tissue of those plants previously grown without SO₄ than those grown with SO₄. Apparent SO₄, absorption sites or carriers were saturated between 0.05 and 0.5 mM SO⁴. The SO⁴ absorption mechanism of alfalfa appeared to be different than the SO, absorption mechanism of the grasses because increased solution pH decreased S accumulation by alfalfa, but had no effect on S accumulation by the grasses. The ratio of shoot to root S accumulation per unit dry weight during the experimental period was as much as three times greater in tall fescue than in the other species.

Key Words: Festuca arundinacea Shreb. • Dactylis glomerata L. • Medicago sativa L. • Sulfate • Mineral nutrition • Nutrient solutions

² Graduate student, professor, and plant physiologist, USDA-ARS, Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091.

Received for publication December 3, 1982.