Information is lacking on sulfur (S) nutrition characteristics of contemporary cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars and their responses to S fertilization in the United States. The objective of this study was to develop S fertilizer recommendations and S sufficiency ranges for contemporary cotton cultivars with high yielding potentials. Sixteen field trials were conducted on cotton across west Tennessee during 2014–2016. Five S application rates of 0, 11.2, 22.4, 33.6, 44.8 kg ha−1 were examined in a randomized complete block design with four replicates at each location-year. Lint yield was significantly increased by 8.5–9.8% with S applications of 11.2, 22.4, 33.6, 44.8 kg ha−1 in the soils with low S. Soil residual S level after harvest was significantly enhanced only at the highest rate of 44.8 kg S ha−1. However, lint yield or soil residual S did not respond to S application in the medium S soils. Leaf S concentrations of 3.9–8.2 g kg−1 at late bloom were needed for 95–100% of the highest yield in the low S soils, which were different from the current S sufficiency range of 3.0–9.0 g kg−1 being used in diagnosing cotton S nutrition. In conclusion, application of 11.2 kg S ha−1 is beneficial and adequate for cotton grown on low S soils. The S sufficiency range at late bloom was narrower for contemporary cotton cultivars than conventional cotton varieties. Sulfur management needs to be more accurate for contemporary cotton cultivars due to their narrower S sufficiency range.

中文翻译：

---

现代高产棉花品种的施硫量和硫磺充足范围

缺乏关于当代棉花 (Gossypium hirsutum L.) 品种的硫 (S) 营养特征及其对美国 S 施肥反应的信息。本研究的目的是为具有高产潜力的当代棉花品种制定硫肥建议和硫充足范围。2014-2016 年，在田纳西州西部的棉花上进行了 16 次田间试验。在随机完整区组设计中检查了 0、11.2、22.4、33.6、44.8 kg ha-1 的五个 S 施用率，每个位置年有四个重复。在硫含量低的土壤中，当施硫 11.2、22.4、33.6、44.8 kg ha−1 时，皮棉产量显着提高了 8.5-9.8%。收获后土壤残留硫水平显着提高，只有在最高速率 44.8 kg S 时哈-1。然而，皮棉产量或土壤残留 S 对中等 S 土壤中的 S 施用没有反应。低硫土壤中 95-100% 的最高产量需要在晚花时达到 3.9-8.2 g kg-1 的叶片 S 浓度，这与目前使用的 3.0-9.0 g kg-1 的 S 充足范围不同在诊断棉花 S 营养中。总之，施用 11.2 kg S ha-1 对种植在低硫土壤上的棉花有益且足够。与传统棉花品种相比，当代棉花品种晚花时的 S 充足范围更窄。由于现代棉花品种的硫含量范围较窄，因此硫管理需要更准确。这与目前用于诊断棉花 S 营养的 3.0-9.0 g kg-1 的 S 充足范围不同。总之，施用 11.2 kg S ha-1 对种植在低硫土壤上的棉花有益且足够。与传统棉花品种相比，当代棉花品种晚花时的 S 充足范围更窄。由于现代棉花品种的硫含量范围较窄，因此硫管理需要更准确。这与目前用于诊断棉花 S 营养的 3.0-9.0 g kg-1 的 S 充足范围不同。总之，施用 11.2 kg S ha-1 对种植在低硫土壤上的棉花有益且足够。与传统棉花品种相比，当代棉花品种晚花时的 S 充足范围更窄。由于现代棉花品种的硫含量范围较窄，因此硫管理需要更准确。