Low manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) concentrations in cereals explained yield losses after lime application to soil

Abstract

A range of locally available liming materials of different geological origin, particle size, and application rate were investigated in 15 field sites over a period of 8 years. At 5 sites, lime addition to soils caused average yield losses of 7%. Concentrations of Mn and Cu but not of boron and zinc in grains declined in limed plots. Decline in concentrations of Mn and Cu were significantly correlated with increasing soil pH-values. Crop data indicated that concentrations of Mn and Cu in grains reached low, critical levels. Yields declined at threshold values amounting to 15 mg Mn kg-1 for wheat and barley, 25 mg Mn kg-1 for rye, 30 mg Mn kg-1 for oat, and 3 mg Cu kg-1 for the four cereals.

Keywords

Barley; cereal grain; field trials; lime; micronutrients; oat; rye; soil pH; wheat

Published in

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B - Soil and Plant Science
2010, volume: 60, number: 6, pages: 569-572
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS

SLU Authors

• Kirchmann, Holger

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09064710903233847

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/60962