Effects of Elemental Sulfur on Soil pH and Growth of Saskatoon Berry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and Beaked Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) Seedlings

The land disturbed by open-pit oil sands mining must be restored to support the survival and growth of native boreal plants. Because tailings sand sodic shale overburden are commonly used as an underlying parent substrate that is capped forest cover soils, soil pH in reclamation sites often higher compared with undisturbed soil. Sulfur a major byproduct refining could potentially amendment lower on sites. In this study, we examined effects elemental sulfur physiological responses Saskatoon berry beaked hazelnut seedlings. We found was effective lowering pH. However, addition 5.7 lowered around 3, which impaired performance both plant species. 5 25 g kg−1 8.5 did not substantially improve parameters Further, excess high reduce uptake nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium berry. results demonstrate amount applied would need carefully determined for different types levels avoid potential toxicity effects.