In addition to phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and potassium (K), sulfur or sulphur (S) is a vital nutrient for crops to produce more yields and nutritious foods.
What Is Sulfur?
A pale yellow, odorless, and breakable solid, sulfur is water-insoluble but soluble in carbon disulfide. It is important to all living things, including people, animals, and plants. For human beings and animals, they get it only from plants. An average human takes in about 1 gram each day, mostly in proteins.
It is taken up as sulfate from the soil or seawater for plants or algae and is considered a vital nutrient in crop production. It is used to make two of the essential amino acids required to make proteins. It is classified as a secondary component together with magnesium and calcium but is sometimes referred to as “the fourth major nutrient.” On top of these, sulfur is utilized to make sulfur fertilizers.
Key Functions of Sulfur to Plants
1. Protein production. Sulfur is a component of three sulfur-containing amino acids: cysteine, cysteine, and methionine, which are protein’s building blocks.
2. Oil synthesis. For oilseeds, sufficient sulfur is essential.
3. Formation of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a key component in photosynthesis that green plants need to undergo to produce their own food.
4. Activation of enzymes. Enzymes are necessary for breaking fats, protein, and carbohydrates into smaller molecules that the cells can use to get energy and undergo processes that allow plants to survive. Without enzymes, these physiological processes would not be possible, even for animals.
5. Helps with plants’ special metabolism. Sulfur is also associated with the structural characteristics of protoplasm.
6. Boosts crop yields and enhances the quality of produce. These two factors determine the market price of a farmer’s produce.
7. Sulfur helps plants to resist diseases and aids in growth and seed formation.
Sulfur Deficiency in Plants
The deficiency of sulfur in plants impacts protein synthesis, chlorophyll production, and plant function and structure. In other words, it affects the overall development and maturity of plants. Thus, affecting a farmer’s yields. Fortunately, it is not common in irrigated rice. Instead, it usually happens in allophane-containing soils, soils with low organic matter status, sandy soils, and highly-weathered soils that contain large amounts of iron oxides. Moreover, frequent rainfall affects the amount of available sulfur by moving it further down into the soils, making it hard for many plants to absorb.
To identify a sulfur deficiency in your plants, look for the following signs:
- Lower leaves don’t show necrosis
- Yellow or pale green color of the entire plant
- Leaves are player yellow
- Young leaves are light green (chlorotic), with the tips becoming necrotic
How to Correct Sulfur Deficiency
These days, many products are available to fix a sulfur deficiency. The one you will use will depend on the soil conditions of your field and if there are other identified problems. For instance, a nitrogen fertilizer with sulphur is used for plants requiring higher sulfur content.
Some of these products include the following:
- Elemental Sulfur
- Ammonium sulfate
- Ammonium thiosulfate
- Gypsum
- Manure
- Time
- Effects of fertilizers containing sulfur on soil pH
Importance of Bentonite Clay to Sulfur Fertilizers
You most likely wonder about the role of bentonite clay in sulfur for plants. This natural and unmodified clay serves as a reliable conditioner to enhance soil structure and increase water and fertilizer usage. Bentonite clay’s safety for plants, aquatic systems, animals, and microorganisms is guaranteed.
Its benefits include:
- Increases fertilizer and water retention in sandy soils.
- Improves water absorption on water repellent or non-wetting soils.
- Provides soluble plant nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- Improves the soil quality for lawns, vegetable gardens, pot plants, and native gardens.
To find out more about bentonite clay and sulfur fertilizers, visit Keg River – one of North America’s top manufacturers of sulfur fertilizers.
