Effect of foliar application of processed sulfur fertilizer on morphological and Antioxidant characters of Medicago sativa L.

Abstract

Sulfur plays a crucial role in the synthesis of proteins, chlorophyll, and specific amino acids in plants. This study explores the impact of processed sulfur fertilizer on leaf and stem length, relative growth rate (RGR), quercetin content, and antioxidant levels in Medicago sativa L. through a greenhouse pot study conducted using a completely randomized design over 60 days. The experiment involved four levels of sulfur fertilizer (0, 7.5, 10, and 12.5 mL L^-1) applied across three replications. Statistical significance level (p ≤ 0.05) was determined by Duncan’s test. The findings showed significant improvements in growth parameters, RGR, and quercetin antioxidant content with sulfur fertilization, particularly at 10 and 12.5 mL L^-1 dosages. On average, sulfur fertilizer enhanced leaf length by 86.66% and stem length by 52.38% compared to the control. Additionally, positive and significant correlations between sulfur-induced growth metrics and yield emphasize its importance in improving the productivity and quality of M. sativa. Sulfur application increased the SPAD number, RGR, antioxidant levels, and quercetin content by 61.90%, 89.47%, 50%, and 1450%, respectively. Therefore, processed sulfur fertilizer emerges as a promising practice for achieving higher yields and economic benefits from M. sativa cultivation.