The Effectiveness of Various Manganese Materials in Supplying Manganese to Crops

Abstract

AbstractField tests on Houghton muck and greenhouse studies on alkaline organic and mineral soils were conducted to determine the comparative effectiveness of several manganese carriers as measured by yield response and manganese content of crops. Spray, broadcast, and banding methods of application were studied in field tests and mixing vs. banding of carriers was studied in the greenhouse. Carriers used in the field studies were manganese sulfate, NuM, Mangasoil, NuManese, and FN 239 B frit. In addition to the above five carriers, FN 502 frit and disodium manganous EDTA were used in the greenhouse. The indicator crops were onions in the field, and corn, beans and wheat in the greenhouse.In field studies, the methods of application in order of effectiveness in increasing the yield of onions were banding, broadcasting, and spraying. In 1957, where the manganese carriers were mixed with the basic fertilizer and banded 2 inches below the seed, a significant yield response to manganese was obtained regardless of the carrier used. No difference was observed between carriers or rates applied (10 and 20 pounds of manganese per acre).Greenhouse results indicated a high residual value on Houghton muck for Mn EDTA followed by FN 239 B, NuManese and manganese sulfate. The difference between the latter two was nonsignificant. On the mineral soil, mixing the carriers throughout the soil gave a significant yield response only with the wheat crop when compared to band applications.