Formulation: Sulphur. Sulfur, in its native form, is a yellow crystalline solid. In nature, it can be found as the pure element or as sulfide and sulfate minerals. It is an essential element for life and is found in two amino acids. Its commercial uses are primarily in fertilizers, but it is also widely used in gunpowder, matches, insecticides and fungicides. Sulfur (Sanskrit, sulvari; Latin sulpur) was known in ancient times, and is referred to in the Biblical Pentateuch (Genesis). The word itself probably is from the Arabic sufra meaning yellow. To lower pH of alkaline soils (above 7) apply sulfur. The sulfur products found in nurseries contain 90 percent elemental sulfur; apply them in the fall to have the correct pH by spring. The effect is delayed because soil-dwelling bacteria need time to break down the added sulfur and lower the pH. The bacteria oxidize the sulfur and then combines with water to form sulfuric acid, which acidifies the soil. Because this process relies upon active soil bacteria, sulfur is best applied in spring or summer, when the bacteria are most active. Sulfur helps create acid soil conditions and also acts as a soil conditioner. Helps lower pH in excessively alkaline soils. Soil sulphur is slow acting but long lasting.