Sulphur pesticides in Kenya

Sulphur pesticides in Kenya

Some Pesticides Permitted in Organic Gardening




Just as the more common chemicals are given toxicity ratings -- CAUTION, WARNING or DANGER -- so are chemicals from botanical and mineral-bearing sources. "CAUTION" means low toxicity; "WARNING" means moderately toxic and "DANGER" means highly toxic. The toxicity rating for each pesticide is provided in the paragraphs below.

General information on sulphur

Sulphur probably is the oldest known pesticide in use. The Greek poet, Homer, described the benefits of "pest-averting sulphur" 3,000 years ago.

Sulphur can be used as a dust, wettable powder, paste or liquid. Its primary use is to control powdery mildews, certain rusts, leaf blights and fruit rots. Spider mites, psyllids and thrips also are susceptible to sulphur. Most pesticidal sulphur is labelled for vegetables such as beans, potatoes, tomatoes, peas and fruit crops such as grapes, apples, pears, cherries, peaches, plums and prunes.

Sulphur has the potential to cause plant injury in dry hot weather (above 32°C). It's also incompatible with other pesticides. Don't use sulphur on plants within 20-30 days of applying spray oils. Sulphur reacts with the oil to cause phytotoxicity.

Copper fungicides were formerly accepted in organic farming in many countries provided that the number of applications was strictly followed and a proper soil amendment is observed to prevent copper accumulation in the soil, and can still be accepted with permission from the certifying authority.

Sulphur is non-toxic to mammals, but it may irritate eyes and skin. It has been given a CAUTION rating. 

Lime Sulphur
Lime sulphur is made by boiling lime and elemental sulfur together. The mixture is used as a dormant spray on fruit trees to control diseases such as blight anthracnose, powdery mildew and some insects including scales, thrips and eriophyid mites. Its drawbacks include its rotten-egg smell, its potential to burn exposed skin and eyes and to injure plants if applied when temperatures exceed 26°C. Lime sulphur has been assigned a DANGER rating.


Sulphur pesticides in Kenya
Sulphur products listed in Table 1 are registered in Kenya by the Pesticide Control Products Board . These products are readily available in most agro-vet shops in Kenya. Organic farmers should consult their respective certification agencies prior to use of these products. According to the Soil Association (UK) farmers do not require permission to use sulphur, however, sulphur can only be used where there is an actual threat to the crop (i.e. not used as preventive applications).


Table 1: Sulphur pesticides commercially available in Kenya 

Trade names of products Active substances of products Target pest/disease Agent/distributor
Cosavet DF  Sulphur 80% w/w  Powdery mildew on roses and vegetables  Osho Chemical Industries Ltd
Devisulphur WP  Sulphur 80% w/w  Powdery mildew on vegetables  Orbit Chemical Industries Ltd 
Flosul Plus  Sulphur 80% w/w  Powdery mildew on roses and vegetables  Osho Chemical Industries Ltd
Microthiol Special Dispers 80 WG  Sulphur 80% w/w  Mites and powdery mildew in French beans, cucumber, tomato and roses  Twiga Chemical Industries Ltd 
Palm Brand  Sulphur 99% w/w  Powdery mildew on flowers  Osho Chemical Industries Ltd
Sulgro 80 WDG  Sulphur 80% w/w  Powdery mildew on roses  Topserve (EA) Ltd 
Thiovit Jet WP  Sulphur 80% w/w Mites and powdery mildew on grape vine, citrus, coffee, tea and ornamentals  Farmchem (K) Ltd
Wetsulf WP  Sulphur 80% w/w  Powdery mildew on flowers Osho Chemical Industries Ltd 


Agents / Distributors of Sulphur Pesticides in Kenya
Tel.: +254 (20) 2409661 
Mobile: +254 722 520 837 / +254 733 520 837


Tel.: +254 (20) 2338200/2
Mobile: +254 (0) 722 205 505/ 733 333 938


Tel.: +254 (20) 3912000
Mobile: +254 (0) 711 045 000/732 167 000


P.O. Box 47341-00100 Nairobi
Tel.: +254 (20) 3746402/3/6
Mobile: +254 (0) 703 583262


Tel.: +254 (20) 3942000/39423000

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Last updated on:
Thu, 11/10/2016 - 13:20