Effect of Pyrite Application on Wheat-Maize Growth and Nutrient Uptake Under Diverse Soil Conditions

Zinc (Zn) and phosphorus (P) deficiency is a common nutritional problem for the production of many crops in semi-arid Mediterranean region of Turkey. This problem results in the application of increasing amounts of fertilizers. Minerals (such as pyrite) including iron (Fe) and sulfur (S) can decrease soil pH may be a critical factor in crop production under low supply of Zn and P in calcareous and clay soils. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of pyrite application on wheat-maize-wheat growth, P and Zn concentration with three successive pot experiments. Bread (Seri-82) (Triticum durum L.) durum (Kunduru) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and maize (Zea mays L.) RX 788 hybrid was grown in Zn and P-deficient calcareous soils from Central Anatolian Sultanonu and Cukurova Karaburun. Plants were grown under greenhouse conditions at five rates of pyrite (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 g pyrite kg−1 soil) in three consecutive experiments. Pyrite application increased shoot dry matter production of wheat an...