What Is Micronized Sulfur?
Micronized sulfur is a type of pesticide that is classified as a fungicide.
As the name suggests, its main ingredient is sulfur (element symbol: S). Sulfur is well known for its use in hot springs and as a raw material for making rubber and matches, but it is also an element used in the agricultural industry for its function as a pesticide and for lowering the pH of the soil.
Micronized sulfur Floorable is made by suspending fine particles of sulfur in water. As a fine-particle formulation (floorable), it is characterized by the fact that the pesticide does not show up on leaves and fruits when sprayed.
In addition, because it is not counted in the number of times pesticides are applied, it can be used on specially cultivated crops (crops grown with reduced use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides) and is also effective in pest control. Micronized sulfur is not inflammable or flammable and is not classified as a hazardous material.
Uses of Micronized Sulfur
Micronized sulfur is used for two purposes: as a fungicide to prevent and treat diseases such as powdery mildew and rust on crops, and as an insecticide to control mites such as rust mites and dust mites.
1. Fungicide
Micronized sulfur is used as a fungicide to prevent and treat diseases of vegetables and fruit trees. Micronized sulfur, the main component of micronized sulfur, interferes with the action of enzymes called SH enzymes in fungi and microorganisms and inhibits their energy metabolism, thus producing a fungicidal effect. In the mechanism of action classification of pesticides, it is classified as M2 (multiple-action contact activity).
Micronized sulfur as a fungicide is effective against brown spot and black star diseases of fruit trees such as peaches, apples, and oysters, and against vegetable crops such as eggplant and cucumbers, green onion and strawberry powdery mildew, and green onion and buckwheat rust. To use, dissolve it in water and spray it on crops. The dilution factor varies depending on the crop, but a dilution of 300 to 1,000 times is generally recommended.
It can be used for both disease prevention and treatment.
2. Insecticides
Micronized sulfur Sulfur is also used as an insecticide to control pests on vegetables and fruit trees. As an insecticide, micronized sulfur can be useful against the mandarin orange rust mite on citrus fruits, the chanofossilid mite, and the tomato rust mite on tomatoes and mini-tomatoes.
It is dissolved in water and sprayed on crops. The dilution factor is often set at 400 times. The time of use is the early stage of a pest outbreak, making it suitable for the control of pests during this period.
Characteristics of Micronized Sulfur
Pros
- Since it is in the form of a floorable, there is little powdering or foaming when diluted.
- Since it adheres evenly to crops, there is less staining on leaves and fruits.
- It can be used even by those who are registered as organic crop growers.
- It can be used in both preventive and curative situations.
- Can be used because it is registered against the less common buckwheat disease.
Cons
- Costly chemicals and spraying equipment. It is necessary to consider whether the cost is worth the effectiveness of the product before using it.
- Chemical damage may occur on hot days or in greenhouses with high room temperatures.
Other Information on Micronized Sulfur
Precautions for Use
- When spraying, gloves and masks should be worn and care should be taken to avoid direct contact with the eyes, nose, and skin.
- Mixed use with lime sulfur compound, Bordeaux solution, or machine oil emulsion should be avoided. Spraying in close proximity within 14 days after machine oil emulsion application should also be avoided.
- Since the components may separate during storage, they should be mixed before use.
- Since it affects silkworms, care should be taken when spraying if there are mulberry leaves in the vicinity.