Elements In Grains Research Articles

Grain yield responses of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) to applications of fertiliser phosphorus and zinc.

Seed (grain) yield responses of faba bean (Vicia faba L. cv. Fiord) to applications of fertiliser phosphorus (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 kg P/ha as triple superphosphate) and zinc (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 kg Zn/ha as zinc oxide) were measured in 3 field experiments conducted in 1997 and 1998 on neutral to alkaline soils in south-western Australia. Additions of fertiliser phosphorus significantly (P<0.001) increased grain yields by about 50 and 100% in 2 experiments, but in the third experiment differences in grain yield due to applications of fertiliser phosphorus were not significant (P>0.05). Increases in grain yields due to zinc fertiliser were small (<10%) and were only significant (P<0.05) in 1 experiment. This suggests the 3 sites chosen had adequate soil zinc for grain production of faba bean. In 1 experiment the increase in grain yield due to addition of phosphorus fertiliser was due to an increase in the number of pods per plant; numbers of seed per pod and mean seed weight were unaffected by additions of phosphorus and zinc fertiliser. Adding phosphorus and zinc fertiliser increased concentrations of both elements in grain, but had no effect on the concentrations of other nutrient elements (N, K, S, Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Mn, Fe) measured in grain. These findings support results of a previous study in Western Australia indicating that phosphorus is the major nutrient element deficiency for grain production of faba bean in neutral to alkaline soils.

FOLIAR APPLICATION OF CHELATED AND NON-CHELATED METALS FOR SUPPLYING MICRONUTRIENTS TO WHEAT GROWN ON CALCAREOUS SOIL

A field experiment was conducted from 1992 to 1994 to study the effect of supplying micronutrients to wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Yecora rojo) grown on calcareous soil. Chelated and/or non-chelated forms of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were administered through a wide range of foliar applications, sprayed either individually or in combination. All the chelated micronutrients were applied in the form of EDTA with the exception of Fe (EDDHA). However, all the non-chelated elements were in the form of sulphate. The grain yield was significantly increased by the application of individual micronutrients either in the form of sulphate or chelate, but much higher amounts of sulphates were required. Application of micronutrient combinations either in chelated or non-chelated forms gave greater biological and grain yields than individual applications of the micronutrients. Wheat response to micronutrient applications followed in rank order: combined elements > Fe > Cu = Zn > Mn. Application of the micronutrients in sulphate form generally resulted in higher concentrations of these elements in grain than when the chelated forms were applied. Foliar application of the micronutrients in the form of sulphates at higher application rates may be more effective than the chelates due to lower cost despite the higher application rates.