Influences of soil and fertilization with phosphorus and potassium on zinc, manganese, copper and iron status in maize

Abstract

Increased rates of P and K (monoammonium phosphate and potassium chloride) were applied in four replicates on two soils in spring 2001 as follows: a) standard fertilization (kg ha −1 : 177 N + 100 P 2 O 5 + 150 K 2 O); b) a + 1500 kg P 2 O 5 ha −1 ; c) a + 1500 kg K 2 O ha −1 ; d) = b + c. Residual effects of the fertilization were tested in the next year. Maize (OsSK552 hybrid) growing on Luzani soil resulted in 15% lower yield compared to the Kobas soil (7.75 and 9.06 t ha −1 , respectively). Mean the leaf (the ear-leaf at silking) concentrations (mg kg −1 ) were 41.8 (Zn), 14.1 (Cu) and 131 (Fe), respectively. The leaf Mn was by 60% lower and the leaf Zn by 16% higher in 2002 compared to 2001. Maize grown in the Luzani trial had by 9% lower the leaf Zn, 10% lower the leaf Cu and by 37% higher the leaf Mn compared to the Kobas soil. Under the influence of P fertilization, the leaf Zn decreased by 37% compared to the control. Application of both P and K resulted in decreases of leaf Zn by 30%. However, P...