Understanding Micronutrients: Manganese

Although required in significantly smaller amounts than nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), micronutrients’ role in ensuring plant growth, health and success is just as important.

What does manganese do in the plant?

Manganese is an essential player in many plant enzymatic processes. Manganese triggers chlorophyll production, which feeds the plant and plays a vital role in lignin production, protecting plant stability. It also assists in the plant processes that protect it from disease and drought stress, making it essential from start to finish.

What conditions can lead to a manganese deficiency?

Manganese deficiency often develops in soils with high pH and organic matter levels. Sandy or weathered soils can also display this deficiency, and as with many other micronutrient issues, cold, wet or saturated soils are more susceptible.

What does manganese deficiency look like?

Cereal grains, soybeans, potatoes, sugar beets and canola are more likely to be impacted by deficient soil manganese.

Manganese deficiency can often appear very similar to nitrogen deficiency in corn as a solid intraveinal chlorosis or yellowing between the veins on the leaves. The difference is that where nitrogen deficiency shows up as the plant cannibalizes the older leaves, manganese deficiency shows up in new growth.

In soybeans, chlorosis is also a sign of manganese deficiency. Its symptoms can be confused with soybean cyst nematode or iron deficiency chlorosis.

Generally, a manganese deficiency has to be significant to show up noticeably. If left unchecked, the chlorotic new growth will simply die off.

How can you address micronutrient concerns around manganese?

Correcting a manganese deficiency before it can impact your plants is the preferred way to address this nutrient imbalance. A soil analysis can confirm the deficiency, and then an early application can ensure the crop has ready access to the manganese it needs to reach its fullest yield potential.

As with any fertility application, the key is to respect the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship — applying the right fertilizer source at the right rate, the right time and the right place.

WOLF TRAX™ DDP™ micronutrients are designed to coat onto dry fertilizer blends and deliver highly available nutrition through better, more even distribution in the field. They are formulated to simplify nutrient management, boost crop performance and maximize farmers’ fertilizer investment. Manganese DDP is a 33% manganese product derived from three forms: manganese oxide, manganese sulfate and manganese chloride, assuring your crop can access what it needs when it needs it.

Ask a local ag retailer how Manganese DDP can help protect against manganese deficiencies or connect with a Koch representative today.