
%0 Journal Article
%A Goh, K. M. 
%A Nguyen, M. L. 
%T Estimating net annual soil sulfur mineralisation in New Zealand grazed pastures using mass balance models
%J Australian Journal of Agricultural Research
%D 1997/04/15
%V 48
%N 4
%P 477-484
%K soil organic sulfur.
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/A95123
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/A95123 
%X Estimates of net soil sulfur (S) mineralisation of grazed pastures in New Zealand were made using the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture (MAF) S model and a recently developed simple mass-balance S model. Quantitative estimates of S inputs and outputs in the MAF S model were also compared with those obtained in recent field trials. Results obtained showed that the MAF S model was reasonably accurate in estimating S inputs and outputs and long-term maintenance pasture S requirements but not short-term pasture S requirements, due to the parameters used not accounting for the effects of major factors affecting soil organic S mineralisation. Net annual soil S mineralisation under high-producing pastures estimated by the simple mass-balance model was substantial, ranging from 17&#183;7 to 29&#183;1 kg S/ha &#183; year, thus showing that the mineralisation of soil organic S can be a significant source of S for pasture plant growth. The inclusion of the MAF soil organic S test into the MAF S model may improve short-term S requirements, but the soil organic S test needs to be calibrated with net soil S mineralisation potential, soil types, management practices, and pasture production. Although some of the excreta S that has been transferred to stock camps may be returned to the main grazing area, this excretal S and sulfate leaching losses were found to be major S outputs of the main grazing area. The results suggested that the mineralisation of soil organic S may not be sufficient to replace S losses indefinitely when S fertiliser applications are withheld. 
