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Inorganic sulfur as a fungicide

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Residue Reviews

Part of the book series: Residue Reviews ((RECT,volume 78))

Abstract

Elemental sulfur is undoubtedly the oldest of all pesticides. Much of the early history of this pesticide is lost, but its pesticidal properties were known by the ancient Greeks as early as 1000 B.C. FORSYTH (1802) first recorded the recommendation of sulfur for the control of diseases. His recommendation for the control of powdery mildew on fruit trees was a concoction of quicklime, sulfur, elderberry bud, and tobacco. ROBERTSON (1824) reported at the London Horticultural Society that sulfur was the only effective remedy that he knew for the control of mildew on peaches. He recommended the addition of soap to augment disease control; thus the use of surfactants to enhance pesticidal properties is not a modern innovation. ROBERTSON further emphasized the importance of complete coverage for improved disease control. Later MEARNS (1835) recommended that sulfur be mixed with soft soap and barnyard manure for the control of mildew on roses. In 1841, MEARNS recommended a mixture of alcohol and sulfur for the control of powdery mildew on peaches. He recognized the importance of early applications and stated that the mixture should be painted on the branches during dormancy in early spring.

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  1. Biochemistry Department, CIBA-GEIGY Corporation, P. O. Box 11422, Greensboro, NC, 27409, USA

    B. G. Tweedy

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  1. B. G. Tweedy
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  1. Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, California, 92521, USA

    Francis A. Gunther  & Jane Davies Gunther  & 

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Tweedy, B.G. (1981). Inorganic sulfur as a fungicide. In: Gunther, F.A., Gunther, J.D. (eds) Residue Reviews. Residue Reviews, vol 78. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5910-7_3

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