Effects of Sulfur on Growth of Flue-cured Tobacco and Heavy Metal Contents of Tobacco Leaves in Alkaline Soil

In order to find out effective and safe soil improvement measure, a field experiment was carried out to study the effects of sulfur application on soil pH, the growth and heavy metal contents of flue-cured tobacco. Four sulfur rates (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 kg/m²) were applied to alkaline soil in this experiment. The results showed that sulfur application (0.1 to 0.3 kg/m²) significantly decreased pH of root zone soil, with a range of 0.3 to 0.4. Sulfur promoted the early growth of tobacco seedling root in alkaline soil. Compared with the control, sulfur application at rate of 0.2 kg/m² significantly increased leaf yield, and 0.1 kg/m² increased leaf grade. Sulfur application at rate of 0.2 to 0.3 kg/m² significantly decreased leaf Pb content, but Sulfur application did not affected leaf As, Cd and contents. The results suggested that sulfur application of at rate of 0.2 kg/m² was an effective way to ameliorate soil acidity and increase yield of flue-cured tobacco in alkaline soil, and reduce Pb content in tobacco leaves.