EFFECT OF SULFUR RATES AND SOURCES ON YIELD AND MINERAL-COMPOSITION OF WHITE CLOVER

The sulphur effect on yield and mineral composition of white clover wa s studied under greenhouse conditions in plastic pots of 1.5 liter cap acity, using a dystrophic dark red latosol (Oxisol) of ''cerrado''. Th e experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme (4 x 3), with five replicates. Four rates of CaSO4.2H(2)O (0, 25, 50 a nd 100 mg kg(-1) of S) and one rate of K2SO4 (50 mg kg(-1) of S), in t hree cuttings were studied. The variables analyzed were: dry matter pr oduction (DM), amounts of crude protein (CP), P, K, Ca, Mg and S in th e aerial dry matter. The highest DM yield was observed with the applic ation of 100 mg kg(-1) of S and the lowest was the one that did not re ceive S. The S sources did not affect yield. The last cutting showed t he lowest yield, probably due to the nutrient depletion. The levels of CP, Ca and S raised with sulphur application and diminished in the la st cutting. The levels of P, K and Mg varied according to the cutting number.