Nutrient cycling in grazed pastures

The incorporation of sulphur-35 (35S) into the wool of sheep grazing radioactive pasture was measured in two successive experiments on the same site following application of [35S]gypsum. Equilibrium between the applied sulphur and sulphur present prior to the application was established at different rates with different rainfall. After 3 years the sulphur from the original gypsum application was still being turned over in the soil-plant-animal system, there had been no change in the total soil sulphur, and a large portion of soil sulphur did not enter the sulphur cycle. A diagram of a proposed sulphur cycle in grazed pasture is given, and the assumptions made are discussed.