Sulphur

A major plant nutrient which is represented by the chemical symbol S. It typically forms the sixth highest percentage of any plant nutrient (excluding carbon, hydrogen and oxygen) within a turfgrass leaf, with a typical dry matter mid-range concentration being around 0.2%.

It is used for general plant health but being part of the amino-acids cysteine and methionine and proteins. It is a component of some enzymes and coenzymes and contributes to the formation of chlorophyll and photosynthesis. Many fertilisers have some form of sulphur component and so this is not normally requested as an included nutrient in a fertiliser, unlike Nitrogen, Phosphorus or Potassium. To acidify a turf surface, the use of fine granular or powdered elemental sulphur might be considered, although care with application is required so as not to scorch and harm the turf.

A deficiency of sulphur would lead to yellowing of leaves (both young and old) and a reduction in shoot growth and leaf size (with a reduction in photosynthetic activity), along with some reduction in root growth. Deficiency may appear in both young and mature leaves at a similar time.

High sand profile pitches located in areas of high rainfall or where supplementary irrigation is routinely applied could encourage leaching, resulting in a potential deficiency of available sulphur. Organic matter within a soil will be a significant source of sulphur, so if this is lacking in sandy rootzones, this could also be a contributory factor to sulphur deficiency.

Sulphur is also classed as a broad-spectrum inorganic protectant fungicide but is not approved for that use on turf.