
Sulfur is probably the oldest known pesticide (fungicide) in current use. Homer described the benefits of "pest-averting sulfur" 3,000 years ago.
Sulfur can be used as a dust, wettable powder, paste or liquid. It primarily is used for disease control as it is effective against powdery mildews, certain rusts, leaf blights, and fruit rots.
However, spider mites, psyllids, and thrips are also susceptible to sulfur. Most pesticidal sulfur is labeled for vegetables such as beans, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, and fruit crops such as grapes, apples, pears, cherries, peaches, plums and prunes.
One the drawbacks of sulfur is its potential to cause plant injury in hot (+90 F), dry weather. The element also is incompatible with other pesticides. Sulfur should not be used within 20 to 30 days on plants where spray oils are applied since it reacts with the oils to make a more phytotoxic combination.
Sulfur is non-toxic to mammals but may be irritating to the skin and especially eyes.
Bonide Sulfur Fungicide
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