Aplicação de níveis de enxofre na forma de gesso para cultivo do capim-colonião em dois solos arenosos do estado de São Paulo

A greenhouse experiment was carried out with Guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) grown on an Entisol and on an Ultisol at Instituto de Zootecnia, in Nova Odessa, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Rates of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg S (as gypsum) per hectare were applied to the soils. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Guinea grass was more responsive to S rates in the Entisol than in the Ultisol. Maximum herbage yield in the Entisol would be reached at 75 kg S/ha. Sulfur concentrations between 0.08 and 0.12% and a N:S ratio of 13.7:1 in the top of the grass were obtained when at least 30 to 40 kg S per hectare were supplied to both soils. Calcium concentration in the plant tissue and exchangeable Ca in the sou were increased, where as K concentration in the grass and soil pH ‘(in water) were decreased as a consequence of gypsum application.