FUNGICIDE
Superior Sulfur Protection
Micronized Wettable Sulfur Formulation
Micro Sulf®
Nufarm Agriculture Division
Sulfur – Improving With Age
S
ulfur is one of the oldest pesticides known to man. As early as 1000 B.C.
Homer recommended what he called “the pest-averting sulfur.” In 1845,
sulfur was recommended for control of powdery mildew in grapes. And in
the 1920s, sulfur was registered for pesticidal use in the United States.
Sulfur is also one of the most effective pesticides known to man. In fact, sulfur is
now even more effective for treatment and prevention of such pests as Powdery
Mildew, Mites and Phomopsis, thanks in large part to the discovery and production of better formulations. Among the best is the micronized formulation from
Nufarm – Micro Sulf®.
Micro Sulf provides excellent coverage and exceptional disease and mite control
for a wide range of crops, from fruits such as grapes, apples, peaches and cherries
to vegetables such as spinach, cucumbers and carrots. Micro Sulf is made from
the highest quality ingredients for easy mixing and spraying. And Micro Sulf has a
2
lower phytotoxicity than other forms of sulfur.
• Clingstone peaches
have a pit to which the
fruit 'clings'
• Freestone peaches have
a pit from which the fruit
easily pulls away
• The peach is the state
fruit of Georgia and
South Carolina
• The peach blossom is
the official state flower
of Delaware
• Georgia is the largest
producer of peaches in
the U.S.
• Johnston, South
Carolina is known as the
Peach Capital of the
World
.
Sulfur has historically been a leading weapon in the war against fungi and mites.
Now it’s easier than ever before to use the power of sulfur for your crops …
because now you have Micro Sulf from Nufarm.
Nufarm’s Micro Sulf – the proven performance of sulfur enhanced
for today’s growers.
FUNGICIDE
A Brief History of Sulfur
Sulfur Formulations Through the Ages
1000
B.C.
Homer recommends “the pest-averting sulfur.” Homer was probably
referring to Flowers of Sulfur. Formed when raw sulfur is purified
through sublimation, Flowers of Sulfur is supposed to deter insect
infestations. Of any sulfur formulation, it has been in use the longest.
1850
Dusting sulfur was invented and used on dew-dampened foliage.
Dusting sulfur is usually mixed with clay to facilitate dry grinding.
This affects the size of the sulfur particle for an average size of 20
to 25 microns. Dusting sulfur is applied dry onto crops for dew to
activate its pesticidal power.
1852
A French gardener, Grison, boiled a mixture of lime and sulfur to
protect his grapes from mildew. He called it “Eau Grison.” Lime
sulfur is water soluble and more potent than insoluble elemental
sulfur. In fact, it is one of the most powerful of all sulfur
fungicides. Unfortunately, it is also the most phytotoxic.
1884
Sulfatine dust, a combination of Bordeaux and sulfur, was developed. The Bordeaux Mixture, invented by Millardet, combines
copper sulfate with lime for a messy, yet effective fungicide used
to combat downy mildew on French grapes. This mixture was
apparently added to sulfur and boiled to form a dry formulation.
1923
The first wettable sulfur was proposed. Wettable sulfurs are a
blend of sulfur, dispersants and surfactants that are milled to a
fine particle size. They can be applied dry or as a spray.
1970
Flowable sulfurs are introduced for pesticidal use. Flowable sulfurs
are homogenized and suspended in water using dispersants and
thickeners. They are easy to measure and apply.
1990s
Micronized sulfurs are developed. Micronized sulfur particles are
extremely fine. The active sulfur content in micronized sulfurs is
lower than other types of sulfur formulations, yet they are more
effective. Micro Sulf, a highly effective micronized sulfur from
Nufarm, becomes available in 2000.
• Spinach was the
first frozen crop
to be sold
• Spinach is an
excellent source
of Vitamin A and
folacin, and is also
a source of fibre,
potassium and
Vitamin C
• California is the
leading spinach
producer in the U.S.
• Persian Arabs first
brought spinach to
Spain in the early
9th century, calling
it “aspanakh”
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The Power of Sulfur
Why sulfur?
Why a sulfur product to protect your grapes, apples and other crops from mites and disease?
There are a number of products available in the marketplace today that provide effective
control for fungi and mites – but, unfortunately, many of them can lead to resistance
issues. What is the best protection for resistance issues? Sulfur. All other products
come and go, but sulfur is the bedrock foundation every effective disease management
program rests upon.
There is another reason growers need sulfur for their crops – it works. In fact, it works
extremely well.
How does sulfur work?
Properly applied, sulfur forms a protective barrier on the plant surface. This barrier kills fungi
by interfering with cellular respiration, inhibiting the electron movement within the fungi and
4
preventing it from accumulating the materials and energy it needs to survive and thrive. This
protective barrier also acts as a stomach toxin for the control of mites.
• Emperor Tiberius
of Rome grew
cucumbers in carts,
using slaves to
wheel them around
to catch the sun
• Cucumbers have
been cultivated since
about 8,000 B.C.
• Columbus brought
cucumbers to America
• Cucumbers are about
95% water
• A cucumber can actually be up to 20
degrees F cooler on
the inside than the
outside
What’s the difference among sulfurs?
After all, every sulfur pesticide on the market will kill fungi and mites, right? That’s correct,
but there are some significant differences. One difference is that micronized sulfurs are
less phytotoxic than other types of sulfurs, resulting in fewer instances of crop damage.
In addition, micronized sulfurs have a lower dust content – dust-free in many cases.
But the biggest difference is one of quality, efficiency and effectiveness. Some sulfur
formulations simply need more active sulfur to be effective.
As a general rule, the active sulfur content for wettable powders must be as high as
92%. The active sulfur content for micronized sulfurs can typically be far lower at 80%.
How can they have less sulfur and still be effective?
It’s a matter of size – particle size. Although particle sizes for wettable powders appear tiny,
compared to micronized sulfur, they’re much larger … and heavier too.
FUNGICIDE
In fact, these sulfur particles are heavier than water molecules. Without extreme agitation,
much of the sulfur content sinks to the bottom. Upon application, the grower is left with
a slurry of sulfur and crops sprayed with yellow water of very little sulfur content.
Plus, the sulfur that makes it to the crop’s surface doesn’t get far. Because the
droplets flatten without spreading far, the sulfur in the water tends to fall to the
bottom of the droplet instead of spreading out to form the protective barrier crops
need for disease and mite control.
Micronized sulfur particles, on the other hand, are extremely fine. These particles are
very buoyant and disperse quickly to suspend in the water. This micronized sulfur
mixture won’t clog spray application nozzles, and so it can be applied quickly and
easily. Upon application, the droplets spread to form a protective barrier that is
more volatile, and effective, than other sulfur formulations.
Why should I use Micro Sulf?
For one thing, Micro Sulf is a micronized sulfur product. Everything that makes micronized
sulfurs efficient and effective – including consistently finer particle sizes, dustless
• More than 40 million
tons of apples are
produced worldwide
each year
• There are more than
7,000 varieties of apples
formulation and high suspensibility – also makes Micro Sulf efficient and effective.
• The U.S. grows 100
varieties commercially
Micro Sulf also compares very favorably with other micronized sulfurs on the market,
• The average American
eats almost 20 pounds
demonstrating as good, if not superior, characteristics.
of fresh apples each year
Micronized Sulfurs Comparison Chart (%)
Analysis Type
Sulfur Content
Insolubles
Suspension
Moist Mesh
Dustiness
Micro Sulf®
80.6
.02
85.9
.2
.04 (dust-free)
Kumulus®
81.4
.54
88.7
.34
.16 (dust)
Thiolux®
82.4
2.0
80.8
.46
.05 (little dust)
Microthiol® DF
82.3
0.1
84.1
.07
.01 (dust-free)
Micro Sulf is produced using technologically advanced processes from some of the
purest sulfur sources in the world. This ensures a consistent particle size from batch
to batch for high suspensibility and a dust-free formulation. And Micro Sulf has just the
right amount of sulfur to make it extremely effective. Its unique formulation optimizes
sulfur’s activity to destroy fungal spores and mites quickly and efficiently.
Add it all together, and using Micro Sulf for your fungicide and miticide needs isn’t
just a good idea – it’s a great idea.
Why sulfur? Because it works! Why Micro Sulf? Because it works better!
• The U.S. is the world’s
second largest apple
producer; China is first
• Washington state
produces more apples
than any other state
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Micro Sulf®
Active Ingredient: Sulfur
Micro Sulf, a premium sulfur fungicide and miticide with preventative action,
is a micronized wettable formulation specifically designed to provide superior
disease and mite control.
Micro Sulf’s consistently fine particle size, dust-free formulation and high
suspensibility make it the perfect sulfur product for any spray application –
offering dependable, uniform plant coverage for your crops.
Features and Benefits
Effective Control
• Powdery Mildew
6
• Grape growing is the
largest food industry
in the world
• Mites
• There are more than
Consistent Fine Particle Sizes
8,000 varieties of
grapes
• Phomopsis
• Better surface area coverage
• The average person
eats eight pounds of
grapes a year
• Lower risk of phytotoxicity
• The best selling table
grape in the U.S. is
the Thompson
Seedless
• Easy to mix and spray
• Botanically, grapes
are berries
Highly Suspensible
Micro Sulf is a dust-free micronized formulation that provides
highly effective disease and mite control.
• More sulfur on plant
• Less sulfur left in tank
Widespread Compatibility
• There are about 25
million acres of
grapes worldwide
• Copper fungicides
• The world production
of grapes is over 72
million tons
• Organic fungicides, insecticides,
• Liquid fertilizers
acaricides and herbicides
Dust-free Formulation
• Easy suspension
• Improved handling
The raw material for Micro Sulf is elemental sulfur refined from the
"Klaus" process. The Klause process recovers sulfur from the residual gas of oil refining. This sulfur's purity exceeds 99.9%.
FUNGICIDE
Application Methods
Micro Sulf may be applied through any type of handheld, knapsack,
mechanical or pneumatic spray equipment. The volume per acre will
differ depending on the crop and the equipment used. Micro Sulf can also
be employed through aerial application methods. In addition, Micro Sulf
can be applied through chemigation systems, except in California. Please
consult label for specific ratios.
Crops Protected
*
Micro Sulf offers excellent disease and mite protection for the following crops:
• Grapes – Powdery Mildew, Bud Mite, Blister Mite, Red Spider Mite
• Carrots – Powdery Mildew, Petrobia Mite
• Citrus – Broad Mite, Citrus Rust Mite, Flat Mite, Silver Mite, Bud Mite,
Red Spider Mite, Six Spotted Mite
• Cucumbers – Powdery Mildew
• Apples – Powdery Mildew, Scab, Blisters and Silver Mites, Two Spotted Mite,
Red Spider Mite
• Spinach – Powdery Mildew, Rust
• Peaches – Powdery Mildew, Blossom Blight, Brown Rot, Leaf Spot,
Silver Mite, Flat Mite, Red Spider Mite
• Tomatoes – Two-Spotted Mite, Russet Mite, Powdery Mildew
• Cherries – Powdery Mildew, Blossom Blight, Brown Rot, Leaf Spot,
Silver Mite, Flat Mite, Red Spider Mite
* Consult label for a complete list of diseases and mites Micro Sulf controls and the
crops they affect.
• Of the more than 1,000
varieties of cherries in the
United States, fewer than 10
are commercially produced
• Broadway in New York shifts
west at East 10th Street
because a cherry tree once
stood there
• In his work “History of
Plants,” Theophrastus (372272 B.C.) mentions that cherries had been cultivated for
hundreds of years in Greece
• Michigan has over 35,000
acres of tart cherry trees and
grows almost 75% of the
tart cherries produced in
the United States
• The cherry is the state fruit
of Utah
• Kane, Pennsylvania, is the
Black Cherry Capital of the
World
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MS.1202.056
© 2002 Nufarm Americas Inc.
Nufarm Americas Inc.
1333 Burr Ridge Parkway • Suite 125A
Burr Ridge, IL 60527-0866
Phone: 708.754.3330 • Fax: 708.754.0314
E-Mail: www.nufarm.com
Micro Sulf® is a registered trademark of Nufarm Americas Inc.
Kumulus® is a registered trademark of BASF Aktiengesellschaft.
Microthiol® is a registered trademark of Les Raffineries de Soufre
Reunies. Thiolux® is a registered trademark of Sandoz-Wander, Inc.