Response of Wheat on Coarse Textured Soils to Mode and Time of Manganese Application

Abstract

SUMMARYTwo field experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of rate, mode and time of application of manganese sulphate to irrigated wheat on manganese-deficient loamy sand (Ustipsamments) soils recently brought under rice. A significant increase in manganese uptake by wheat and marked increases in wheat grain and straw yields occurred following both soil (5, 10 and 20 kg Mn ha-1) and foliar (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% MnSO4 solution) application of manganese, but foliar application was more effective. A series of sprays initiated before the wheat was first irrigated (26 days after sowing) gave significantly better results than application begun after the first irrigation (32 days after sowing); four sprays of 0.5% MnSO4 solution produced the largest grain yield, followed by three of a 1% solution.