Michigan State University Extension
Soils & Soil Management - Fertilizer - 06039721
07/10/97
Tri-state Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybeans, Wheat and Alfalfa Extension Bulletin E-2567 (New), July 1995
M.L. Vitosh, Michigan State University; J.W. Johnson, The Ohio State University; D.B. Mengel, Purdue University; Co-editors
(Vis. 24) lists the soil and crop conditions under which micronutrient deficiencies are most likely to occur. When these conditions exist and soil or plant tissue analysis confirms a need, micronutrient fertilizers should be soil or foliar applied. Micronutrients banded with starter fertilizers at planting time are usually more effective over a longer period of growth than foliar-applied micronutrients. Most soil-applied micronutrients, with the exception of boron for alfalfa and clover, should be banded with the starter fertilizer for efficient uptake. Boron applications for alfalfa and clover should be broadcast with other fertilizers or sprayed on the soil surface. Broadcast applications of 5 to 10 lb. Zn per acre may be used to alleviate Zn-deficient soils. Broadcast applications of Mn, however, are not recommended because of high soil fixation. Residual carryover of available Mn in deficient soils is very limited. Therefore, Mn fertilizers should be applied every year on these soils. Foliar-applied micronutrients are more frequently used when deficiency symptoms are present or suspected and when banded soil applications are not practical.
Soil acidification with sulfur or aluminum sulfate to improve micronutrient uptake is usually not practical on large fields. Some starter fertilizers are acid-forming and may improve the uptake of both applied and native soil forms of micronutrients when deficiencies are slight. When micronutrient deficiencies are moderate or severe, starter fertilizers alone will not overcome the deficiency.
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| Crop and soil conditions under which micronutrient deficiences - 30K |
