Response of canola and wheat to amendment of pyrite and sulphur-oxidizing bacteria in soil

Chemoautotrophic (Thiobacillus ferrooxidans) and heterotrophic sulphur-oxidizing bacteria (M2 and A12) were used along with pyrite amendment (FeS2) to canola (Brassica campestris var toria) cv Bhavani and wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv HD 2285 crops grown in sulphur-deficient alkaline soil. Results showed that the grain and straw yields and nitrogen uptake of canola and wheat were significantly increased by bacterization. Besides nitrogen, uptake of other nutrients (Fe and Mn) was also increased by these microorganisms. In general, pyrite amendment along with bacterization improved yields and nutrient uptake in canola and wheat over other treatments without pyrite addition.