What type of soil is likely to show signs of sulfur deficiency?

Highly weathered soils are particularly prone to sulfur deficiency due to the depletion of essential nutrients over time. These soils, often found in regions with significant rainfall or prolonged leaching, lose minerals and nutrients more rapidly when compared to other soil types. This process can lead to a situation where sulfur, an essential nutrient for plant growth involved in amino acid synthesis and protein production, is reduced in availability for plants.

Unlike sandy soils, which may not hold nutrients well but still contain some amount of sulfur, highly weathered soils have typically been subjected to extensive chemical weathering processes that strip away sulfur reserves. Additionally, rich organic soils generally have adequate levels of sulfur, as organic matter tends to be a reservoir for various nutrients, including sulfur, and wet, clay soils often retain nutrients due to their compact structure. Therefore, the significant loss of sulfur in highly weathered soils is a key reason why they are likely to exhibit deficiency symptoms.