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Elemental Sulfur
Presently used grades of elemental sulfur for soil application contains 85% to 99% sulfur. When applied to aerated, moist soils, elemental sulfur is oxidized by soil microorganisms to form sulfuric acid. This sulfuric acid in turn supplies the sulfate ion which is taken up by the plants.
The speed of oxidation to sulfuric acid depends mainly on the extent of contact of the sulfur with the soil When the sulfur is finely divided and mixed with the soil the reaction time is reduced. However, current year total sulfur needs of the plant will not be met with fall or spring application Cold soil temperature delay reaction until summer. This may cause deficiency symptoms to appear in sensitive crops.
The acidifying effects of sulfur oxidation in the soil lowers the pH, a desirable reaction on alkaline soils, if it does not increase the level of soluble salts to excessive levels.
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