Where sulfur is deficient, crops cannot efficiently utilize nitrogen or achieve maximum economic yields. Yet, this often happens because visual symptoms of sulfur deficiency closely resemble nitrogen deficiency. Both show up in crops as a yellowing of plant leaves. Farmers who attempt to correct a misdiagnosed sulfur deficiency with additional nitrogen actually make the problem worse. If so, your crops may need more sulfur than your soil can supply on its own.
Sulfur is released naturally from the organic matter of most soils.
Therefore, the lower the organic matter, the lower the level of available sulfur. Sulfur is a mobile nutrient that can be moved out of the root zone by irrigation or rainfall, especially on sandy soils. Cool temperatures can slow the breakdown of organic matter and the release of sulfur. Without the organic matter in manure, potential deficiencies are more likely. The absence of any sulfur fertilizer application makes sulfur deficiency more likely.