Sulphur is an important nutrient for oil seeds, crucifers, sugar and pulse crops. As such, these crops grow best on sulphur rich soil. It is an essential constituent of many proteins, enzymes and certain non-volatile compounds such as mustard oil. Sulphur has a specific role in initiating synthesis of protein.
Sulphur is a master nutrient for oil seed production.
It is essential for the synthesis of certain amino acids (Methionine and Cysteine) and oils.
It hastens root growth and stimulates seed formation.
Pungent odour of Onion and Garlic is due to the presence of sulphur.
It is an important constituent of straw and plant stalks.
It promotes nodule formation on the root of leguminous plants.
Sulphur deficiency can easily be mistaken for Nitrogen deficiency as it causes overall chlorosis of the entire foliage.
In Sulphur deficiency yellowing begins in the middle leaves and moves up the plant.
Whereas in N deficiency yellowing starts distinctly in the lower leaves and symptoms progress sequentially up to younger leaves.
The chlorosis persists even after nitrogen application.
It could also be mistaken for deficiencies of Iron and Zinc. However, these micronutrient deficiencies will appear in young leaves.
The first step in finding out which nutrient is scarce, is to identify where the chlorosis starts on the plant.
Causes poor nodulation in legumes leading to reduced Nitrogen fixation.
In fruit crops, the fruits become light green, deformed, thick skinned and less juicy.
The older foliage may develop orange or reddish tints and shed prematurely.
Roots and stems become abnormally long and develop woodiness.
Sulphur deficient plants produce less protein and oil.
Apply any of the Sulphur containing fertilizers like Gypsum, Single Super Phosphate, Ammonium Sulphate, Magnesium Sulphate to deficient soil.
Spray liquid Sulphur @ 2.5 ml/lit. or Ammonium Sulphate or Magnesium Sulphate @ 10 gm/ltr two to three times at intervals of 15 days.