10 secrets about sulfur in plants and crops (+video)
July 16, 2022 59 Comments
Sulfur is one of the basic ecological materials that we traditionally use to protect plants in our garden from diseases and insects, approved for use in organic crops.
Sulfur, or sulfur as it is scientifically called, is found abundantly in nature as a pure element, but also in sulfide and sulfate minerals.
The plant protection properties of sulfur have been known since ancient times, with reports of its use in Greece, India, China and Egypt.
Together with copper and thiochalcine, they are the most popular ecological preparations for dealing with diseases in the vine, in horticultural crops and fruit trees, creating a natural shield that protects our plants.
Let’s look in detail at the forms of sulfur that exist, what uses sulfur has in plants and crops, as well as how we apply it in the best way to ensure healthy plants with abundant fruiting.
1. Sulfur powder and wet sulphur
The sulfur we use on plants to protect against disease and insects comes in two basic forms: powdered sulfur and wettable sulfur.
Sulfur in the form of dust is applied by dusting on the leaves of the plants, which it covers for protection.
We use sulfur on the ground and on the leaves of the plants
In addition, we can pour sulfur on the ground, around the root of the plant. When sulfur is applied to the soil during the summer, vapors are released due to heat that create a natural protective wall.
Wetting sulfur is dissolved in water and used to spray the leaves of plants. The application of wet sulfur has the advantage of better coverage of the leaf surface and easier application, especially when we want to use it on fruit trees.
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2. What diseases and insects does sulfur protect against?
Sulfur is used for the ecological protection of plants and crops from powdery mildew, and from other fungal diseases such as fusicladium.
In addition, sulfur has a mild insecticidal effect and a moderate acaricidal effect. It is used to deal with the tetranych, which in the summer season is a great danger for crops, as it causes significant damage to plant growth and fruiting.
Dealing with tetranychos in the garden
The application of sulfur is done at a preventive level for protection, as well as with the appearance of the first symptoms of the diseases and we repeat according to the intensity of the disease.
It should be noted that sulfur is also used to repel snakes with excellent results. If we want to protect our garden or yard from snakes, we can spread a 20-30 cm thick layer of sulfur around the perimeter.
3. In what crops is sulfur used?
Sulfur is used in the vegetable garden to protect against powdery mildew and powdery mildew in horticultural crops such as tomato cultivation, pepper cultivation, eggplant cultivation, bean cultivation, cucumber cultivation, squash cultivation, of melon and the cultivation of watermelon.
Treatment of powdery mildew in cucumbers and pumpkins
In addition to vegetables, sulfur has extensive use in viticulture and bedding, both as a dusting powder and as a wettable sulfur to treat vine powdery mildew and erinosis, which creates characteristic swellings on vine leaves.
Treatment for grape downy mildew
An important application for wetting sulfur is in fruit tree crops such as apple cultivation and pear cultivation for downy mildew, pear and apple fusillade and four-leaf clover.
Finally, sulfur is also applied to ornamental plants such as roses and hydrangea, to treat powdery mildew and downy mildew.
Treatment of rose powdery mildew
4. When do we throw sulfur and in what cases is its use avoided?
Sulfur is most effective at temperatures between 20°C and 26°C.
It is used in summer crops, as its properties do not work at a temperature below 18°C.
We avoid sulphuring on the leaves at temperatures above 30°C, because it may cause burns. It can cause phytotoxicity in cucurbits, as well as in some varieties of apple and apricot in conditions of high sunshine and high temperatures.
In the cultivation of the vine it should not be applied too close to the harvest as it leaves marks on the fruits.
Sulfur on the vine around the root of the plants
5. What compatibility does sulfur have with other plant protection preparations?
The application of wet sulfur is not combined with summer pulp preparations, as well as with alkaline reaction preparations.
Also, it is advisable not to use the formulation within 4 weeks of applying summer pulp, because it causes phytotoxicity in crops
6. What precautions do we take when applying sulfur?
Although it is a natural material, certain precautions need to be taken when applying sulfur.
Sulfur as a formulation is allowed in organic farming, however when we dust with sulfur or spray wet sulfur we can have skin and eye irritation, and its vapors are not good to inhale.
It is necessary to wear a special mask, gloves, glasses and protective clothing when applying sulfur to plants and crops.
If sulfur comes into contact with the eyes and skin, it is necessary to immediately wash well with plenty of water.
When applying sulfur to plants it is necessary to use a mask and glasses
7. When do we reap fruits when we apply sulfur?
When we apply sulfur to the leaves and fruits of plants, with powdered or wet sulfur, we harvest fruits after 7 days.
On the contrary, when we pour sulfur on the ground, around the root of the vegetables and the vine, without dusting the fruits, we don’t have to wait and can harvest immediately.
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8. Is sulfur also used for soil improvement?
Because of its acidic composition, sulfur is used to improve calcareous soils that have a very high pH.
Sulfur is used as a soil conditioner in vegetable, vine and fruit tree crops to improve the soil.
By incorporating sulfur into the soil, we achieve a reduction in soil pH for a better uptake of nutrients and fertilizer by plants, as in a balanced pH the available soil nutrients become more digestible.
In this way, the various crops show greater growth and give better fruiting.
9. Where do we get sulfur for the crops?
We can get sulfur in the form of dust and wettable powder from agricultural stores in our area. Sulfur preparations are available in small and large packages, depending on the area of the crop where we want to apply sulfur.
Wetting sulfur that dissolves in water to spray plants
As with all crop protection products, sulfur should be used safely. It is important to follow the advice of the agronomist from the store where we will get the sulfur and to carefully read the instructions written on the label of the preparation.
10. And one last secret about sulfur
Brimstone when burned creates a characteristic blue flame, emits sulfur dioxide and has an annoying strong odor that can cause suffocation.
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