Sulfur (S) is the fourth most essential nutrient after nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) with a direct role in amino acid syntheses, such as methionine, cysteine, and N assimilation. Potato is a fast-growing vegetable crop with a small crop cycle; therefore, nutrient applications at the appropriate time, place, rate, and source are essential. The objective was to determine the effect of different S sources on the potato tuber yield, specific gravity, external tuber quality, and internal tuber quality. This study was conducted in 2021 and 2022, and three S sources were applied at two different rates (T1, 45 kg⋅ha−1; T2, 90 kg⋅ha−1) using a 3 × 2 factorial design. Three S sources were derived from the sulfate of ammonia (AS; SO42− source), magnesium sulfate (EPTOP; S0 source), and gypsum (SO42− source). Three potato cultivars were used for this study (Atlantic, Satina, and Red La Soda). The total and marketable yields indicated a positive response to the application of the S sources. Gypsum and EPTOP outperformed AS, and the lower rate (T1) performed better than the higher rate (T2). In one of the trials, the maximum yield difference between AS and gypsum was 33%. The maximum specific gravity for cultivar Atlantic was found with AS and gypsum, whereas Red La Soda and Satina did not respond to any S source. We did not report the treatment effects on the external and internal disorders when weather affected them.

The injudicious use of poor-quality water for irrigation poses significant challenges to crop production, soil quality, and the environment. The decline in good-quality water resources has forced the use of poor-quality water for agriculture. This study investigated the effect of irrigation water quality and fertigation levels on bell pepper yield, water use efficiency, and soil properties under mulching in sandy loam soil in semi-arid conditions using surface drip. Four irrigation water qualities, namely canal, desalinated, saline, and mixed canal and saline water in equal ratios, were evaluated under varying fertigation levels (100%, 80%, and 60% of recommended NPK dose), for both un-mulched and mulched (using silver-black polyethylene mulch, 25µ) conditions. Results showed that reducing groundwater salinity through desalination from EC 4.07 dSm− 1 to EC 0.390 dSm− 1 resulted in a 58% increase in fruit yield coupled with enhanced water use efficiency. Soil pH1:2, EC1:2, and sodium adsorption ratio significantly increased with irrigation water salinity. The application of polyethylene mulch and increasing fertigation levels significantly enhanced fruit yield and water use efficiency, while minimizing soil salinity and health hazards in regions with a scarcity of good quality irrigation water and brackish water aquifers. Therefore, desalinated or mixed water sources have an edge over poor-quality irrigation water to raise bell pepper under a drip system with an acceptable yield loss. The overall study underscores the importance of using desalinated or mixed water sources to improve crop production and protect the environment in regions with water scarcity.