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Sulfur

Sulfur

Knowledge

Sulfur has the power to impact many important processes including stomatal activity, photo assimilate movement, disease resistance and insect infestation, and overall plant growth and yield.

Quick Facts About Sulfur

  • Sulfur is essential for synthesis of Sulfur-containing amino acids and is therefore vital for protein synthesis.
  • Sulfur aids in seed production and producing the chlorophyll necessary for plants to carry out photosynthesis.
  • Sulfur aids in increased Nitrogen use efficiency.
  • Sulfur is a component of vitamin B1 (particularly for cereals and legumes).
  • Important for production of innate plant defence substances (phytoalexines, glutathione).
  • Sulfur fertilization is increasingly common because higher yielding crops are taking up and removing more Sulphur from soil as harvested products.
  • Form used by plants: SO4-2 (Sulphate)
  • Both solution and adsorbed Sulfate are the forms available for plant use.

Role of Sulphur in Plants

  • Improves root growth and seed production.
  • Promotes nodule formation on legumes.
  • Required for synthesis of amino acids and proteins.
  • When used with Nitrogen, Sulfur leads to improved protein & milling quality.
  • Sulfur helps with vigorous plant growth and resistance to cold.
  • Involved in regulating stomatal opening and closing.

Sulfur Deficiencies:

Deficiency Symptoms

  • Yellow-green color, very similar in appearance to Nitrogen deficiency, but is present on the younger leaves.
  • Uniform chlorosis and yellowing on the younger leaves.
  • In canola, a cupping and/or reddish or purple coloration on the underside of the leaves.
  • Typical symptoms in canola are stunted growth, spoon- like arched leaves, pale yellow or white petals and pods can appear bladder-like and bloated.

Factors Affecting Deficiencies

  • Factors that will reduce Sulfur availability to the plant:
    • Leaching of Sulfate
    • Amount and type of soil colloids (higher clay = less availability)
    • Higher pH
    • Lower organic matter in soils
  • It is possible for Sulfur to be temporarily fixed by microbial activity when they incorporate Sulfur into fulvic acid and humic substances.
  • Under anaerobic conditions, the sulfate-ion can be reduced by bacteria to hydrogen sulphide which is unavailable for plants.
  • The risk of Sulfur deficiency is high on lighter soils, especially after heavy rain, on soils with a poor structure and under any conditions which result in a restricted root system.
  • Excess Sulfate reduces Molybdenum uptake.
 
 

Sulfur Recommended Products

Product Type Details
Impel Copper
Micronutrient Foliar
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Impel Manganese
Micronutrient Foliar
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Impel Zinc
Micronutrient Foliar
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Laser KS
Macronutrient Foliar
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