by Wally Richards
SULPHUR
There is a range of minerals and elements which plants need to have to be healthy and grow well; one of these is sulphur, chemical symbol S. (The below bit is from the Internet)
Sulfur is an essential nutrient in crop production. It is classified as a secondary element, along with Mg and Ca, but it is sometimes called “the 4th major nutrient”.
Some crops can take up as much S as P. Sulfur has become more important as a limiting nutrient in crop production in recent years for several reasons. These include higher crop yields that require more S, less S impurities in modern fertilizers, less use of S-containing pesticides, reduced industrial S emissions to the atmosphere, and a greater awareness of S needs.
Sulfur serves many functions in plants. It is used in the formation of amino acids, proteins, and oils. It is necessary for chlorophyll formation, promotes nodulation in legumes, helps develop and activate certain enzymes and vitamins, and is a structural component of two of the 21 amino acids that form protein.
The crop’s need for S is closely associated with N.
The relationship between S and N is not surprising since both are components of protein and are involved in chlorophyll formation. They are also linked by the role of S in the conversion of nitrate to amino acids.
Crops having high N need will usually also have high S needs. (My comment is that vegetables or plants that are gross feeders requiring plenty of nitrogen should have sulphur available in the soil.
The majority of S in most soils is contained in organic matter. Organic S must be mineralized to the inorganic sulfate anion before it can be taken up by crops. Organic matter decomposition and the resulting S release is affected by temperature and moisture, and generally conditions that favor crop growth also favor mineralization and release of S, although this may be less likely with cool season crops.
Sulfate, like most anions, is somewhat mobile in soils and therefore subject to leaching. Soil conditions where S is most likely to be deficient are low organic matter levels, coarse (sandy) texture with good drainage, and high rainfall conditions.
But, these are generalizations and S can be deficient under other conditions as well. The best and easiest way to ensure that your plants have sulphur is to apply a light dressing of Gypsum to the soil. Gypsum is sulphur combined with calcium which makes it pH neutral.
Sulphur on its own will acidify the soil.
We also need very regular amounts of sulphur and 50 odd years ago we were able to get it from vegetables we purchased from our ‘Green Grocer’ because of the natural way market gardeners grew their produce back then.
‘Flowers of Sulpur’, the yellow powder stuff, mostly comes from volcanos. There is another form of sulphur which is extracted from plants or trees commonly called organic sulphur, officially ‘Methylsulfonylmethane’ or as most prefer to call it, MSM.
MSM is distilled from DMSO (Dimethylsulfoxide ) to obtain the white crystal powder. DMSO is a bio product from Pine Trees in the pulping of the wood.
From the internet:
People take MSM by mouth or apply it to the skin, mostly using it to lessen inflammation.
They take MSM to help to relieve pain or swelling from:
- Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
- Bursitis, tendinitis, or tenosynovitis
People also apply MSM to the skin to try to treat problems such as:
- Scar tissue or stretch marks
- Wrinkles
- Wind or sun burn
- Wounds, cuts, or abrasions
- Rosacea
Or they may take it to try to treat gastrointestinal problems such as:
- Chronic constipation
- Ulcers
- Diverticulosis (a bowel disease)
- Hemorrhoids
I learnt about MSM over 20 years ago. Basically we like plants, need a small amount of sulphur on a daily bases and once when our commercially grown food chain was full of nutritional goodness we got all the sulphur our bodies needed.
Nowadays gardeners who grow a good amount of their food will get their daily sulphur requirements, especially if they use gypsum in their vegetable patch and under fruit trees and vines. Gypsum is often sold as Clay Breaker as it is great for converting heavy clay soils into easy work soil/clay.
I have promoted MSM through some of my books, on the Gardenews web site and in articles such as this. The reason I have brought up the subject is that I had a phone conversation this week with a reader who was purchasing three of the 500 gram pouches of MSM from our mail order website. She told me that her niece suffered with acne. (Acne is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles under the skin become clogged.) Sebumoil that helps keep skin from drying outand dead skin cells plug the pores, which leads to outbreaks of lesions, commonly called pimples or zits (in case you didnt know).
She told me that her niece would dissolve a quarter teaspoon of the MSM crystal powder into a couple of hundred mils of hot non chlorinated water and then with her finger she dabs the liquid onto her face and acne. It cleared up the acne very quickly and her niece continued using on her face morning and night.
The result I was told is a radiant complexion and a reduction in skin blemishes and wrinkles. I had never thought of using MSM topically till our conversation.
I was also told that my caller had recently come back from Australia where she had taken MSM with her on the trip. MSM dissolved in water as above is excellent in stopping the itchiness of mosquito bites and other insect bites; it gives instant relief. But that’s not all (like they say in marketing), she said you take some of MSM dissolved in water into an eye dropper and apply it as a wash for your eyes. She said it clears your vision and improves your eyes. [We suggest using Optrex from the supermarket or chemist rather than do this —Eds] Also I was told use a few drops in the ear for earache.
Women who have taken MSM orally have often reported that their complexion has improved, in particular hair, skin and nails, which is why it is often referred to as Nature’s Beauty Element. It’s great to sprinkle on the food of your pets for their coats and health. Some horse owners give it to their horses in their feed bags, I have been told.
It’s available on www.0800466464.co.nz under the link Well Being Products. (I’m not sure if you are allowed to say Health Products anymore unless you jump through all the bureaucratic hoops and controls.)
Phone 0800 466464
Garden Pages and News at www.gardenews.co.nz
Shar Pei pages at www.sharpei.co.nz
Mail Order products at www.0800466464.co.nz
