Sulfur improves tomato flavor, lowers soil pH and treats some fungal diseases.
Some soils seem to naturally produce large yields of healthy, tangy tomato fruits. These soils are usually high in organic matter and contain plenty of sulfur, potassium and boron. Sulfur, in particular, improves the flavor of tomatoes, although it may contribute to good growth, as well. Use soil amendments annually to add sulfur to your soil.
Flavor and Yields
Sulfur is responsible for producing the organic compounds that give tomatoes their tart but sweet, flavor. This nutrient is rarely measured on soil tests, but is usually deficient in sandy soils low in organic matter. Sulfur, along with other nutrients, such as nitrogen, potassium and boron, contribute to high-yielding, healthy plants.
Sources
Treat sulfur deficiencies through the addition of sulfur-rich soil amendments, such as gypsum or compost. An annual application of 2 inches of compost is often sufficient. Several commercial fertilizers, such as potassium sulfate or ammonium sulfate contain sulfur. Do not apply these products though, unless a soil test indicates a need for additional nitrogen or potassium.
Disease
Sulfur dust is sometimes used to treat early blight, a fungal disease that attacks the leaves, stems and fruit of tomato plants. Although sulfur used in this manner doesn't help tomatoes grow, it prevents infections that would thwart growth or even kill the plant.
Considerations
Sulfur is often used to lower the pH of alkaline soils. Tomatoes prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 and grow best in this range. If your soil pH is much higher, as indicated by a soil test, add sulfur to lower the pH. Follow the recommendations offered by the soil test analysis, because amounts vary depending on the texture of the soil. Heavy clay soils generally require more sulfur than sandy soils. Adding too much sulfur can damage soil.
Related posts
Sulfur is among the secondary nutrients that help promote healthy grass growth. Though the mineral nutrient is utilized by lawns in smaller quantity as opposed to the three essential nutrients, ni...
Provide sufficient nutrients to help your plants produce healthy tomatoes.If the bottom parts of your tomato fruits rot, you have a problem with a disorder known as blossom-end rot. The rot can af...
Lime corrects the acidity of soil, allowing vegetables to absorb the nutrients they need to grow.Agricultural lime, also known as ground limestone, is a compound of calcium or calcium and magnesiu...
Adding Sulfur to clay soil is done in order to lower the alkaline levels in the clay, and raise the acidic levels. It's a process often used by gardeners, landscapers or farmers operating in regio...
Blueberries love acidic soil.Blueberry plants need acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5 to survive. This is far more acidic than the normal gardener would use, so amendment is likely required....
