Industrial Strategies for Sulfur Application to Maximize Broad Bean Production

Abstract

Soil nutrient depletion, particularly sulfur deficiency, has become a major constraint limiting pulse crop productivity in semi-arid regions like Kandahar, Afghanistan. Broad bean (Vicia faba L.) is an important legume for food security and soil health, often suffers from suboptimal yields due to inadequate sulfur nutrition. However, scientific guidance on the best sulfur sources and application rates for local conditions remains limited. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different sulfur sources and application rates on the yield, production efficiency, and economic returns of broad bean under Kandahar’s agro-climatic conditions. A field experiment was carried out at the ANASTU research farm from Feb. to Jun 2022 using a randomized complete block design with two sulfur sources (gypsum and elemental sulfur) and four application levels (0, 20, 30, and 40 kg S/ha). The findings revealed that gypsum significantly outperformed elemental sulfur, producing the highest seed yield (1,289.1 kg/ha), gross return (AFN 135,359.0/ha), and net return (AFN 106,579.0/ha). Among sulfur levels, 30 kg S/ha was the most effective, recording the highest yield (1,426.3 kg/ha), gross return (AFN 149,765.0/ha), net return (AFN 120,285.0/ha), and production efficiency (12.7 kg/ha/day). Sulfur application improved seed yield by up to 64.5% compared to the control. The study concludes that gypsum at 30 kg S/ha is the optimal strategy for maximizing broad bean productivity and profitability, and provides a valuable basis for improving nutrient management and sustainable pulse cultivation in sulfur-deficient, semi-arid environments.