Sulphur fertilizers – the importance of sulphur in plant cultivation?
The physiological role of sulphur in plants is vital mainly due to the presence of three amino acids in the molecule: cysteine, cystine and methionine. Sulphur in the form of sulphur residues is a component of acidic polysaccharides and some flavonoids such as persicarin. It also occurs in heterocyclic systems of vitamins, some amines (ergothioneine) and alkaloids. Sulphur-containing vitamins in the form of heterocyclic combinations include thiamine and biotin. It is also found in low-molecular organic compounds such as djenkolic acid, methyl mercaptan and garlic oils. Importantly, sulphur is also found in such tripeptides as penicillin and cephalosporin – antibiotics whose precursors are cystine and cysteine. In oxidised form, sulphur is a component of sulpholipids which are structural elements of cell membranes. This element is present in both oxidised and reduced form in glucosinolates. Sulfur fertilizers should not be omitted from the fertilization program, they are a good way to increase your yields!