Sulphur in soil-plant systems: Cycling, nutrient interactions, and implications for carbon sequestration

Abstract

This review comprehensively examines the role of sulphur (S) in soil and plant systems, emphasizing its critical interactions with key nutrients and its impact on soil carbon sequestration. Sulphur, the fourth most important plant nutrient, influences soil health, nutrient availability, plant growth, and stress tolerance. The paper details sulphur sources, cycling in agroecosystems, plant absorption and assimilation, and its dynamic interactions with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, highlighting synergistic and antagonistic effects that affect nutrient uptake and crop productivity. Additionally, sulphur’s contribution to carbon storage in soils is explored, demonstrating its role in organic matter formation, microbial activity, and long-term soil fertility. Sulphur has attracted insufficient research attention and remains underutilized in agricultural production systems. This review provides valuable insights into sulphur’s biochemical pathways, microbial transformations, and its potential in soil remediation and sustainable nutrient management to optimize crop yield and enhance ecosystem carbon sequestration.