Foliar micronutrients and lime on wheat production

1987

Research organisatons

Trial details

Researcher(s) PJ Haines
Year(s) 1987
Contributor South Australian Research and Development Institute
Trial location(s) Rutherglen, VIC
Further information View external link
Foliar micronutrients and lime on wheat production locations
Aims

To examine the benefits of foliar applications of copper and other micronutrients to wheat on acid soils with and without lime.

Key messages
  • Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and molybdenum (Mo) were applied as foliar sprays at 75, 150 and 30 g/ha, respectively, to tillering wheat (5-6 leaf stage) growing on a strongly acid soil (Rutherglen site, pH CaCl2 4.38) limed at three rates (0, 2.5 and 10 t/ha lime).
  • The highest lime treatment (pH CaCl2 increased to 7.18) was included to determine if lime induced any micronutrient deficiency.
  • Two further sites were established on farmers' properties (Devenish, pH CaCl2 4.36; Goomalibee, pH CaC12 4.72), the same three micronutrients were applied with boron (B, 200 g/ha) to adjacent limed and unlimed areas.
  • At the Rutherglen site plants were sampled on three occasions (3 leaf stage, jointing and flowering). The youngest fully emerged leaf (YFEL) was separated for chemical analysis.
  • There was no effect of lime or applied Cu to the concentrations in the YFEL's.
  • These concentrations considerably exceed the suggested deficiency value of <2 ppm (2). Zn concentrations in YFEL's at flowering were above 20 ppm for all treatments, well in excess of the critical deficiency level (<10 ppm).
  • There were no effects on YFEL Zn concentrations from applying Zn or lime.
  • The levels of Mo were significantly increased (P<0.01) by lime from 0.3 ppm to 0.6 and 0.8 ppm respectively, for 2.5 and 10 t/ha lime (SED0.059). However, YFEL Mo concentrations were more than adequate for plant needs.
  • There was no effect of foliar applied Cu, Zn or Mo on grain yield.
  • Lime has consistently increased grain yield at this site. At the Devenish and Goomalibee sites, lime significantly (P<0.01) increased grain yields (36% and 13% respectively) but there were no improvements from the applied foliar nutrients nor any interaction with lime.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation Agriculture Victoria
Related program More Profit from Crop Nutrition
Acknowledgments N/A
Other trial partners Not specified

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Rate
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Replicated

Rutherglen 1987

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Fertiliser

Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and molybdenum (Mo) were applied as foliar sprays at 75, 150 and 30 g/ha respectively to tillering wheat (5-6 leaf stage) growing on a strongly acid soil (Rutherglen site, pH CaCl2 4.38) limed at three rates (0, 2.5 and 10 t/ha lime).The highest lime treatment (pH CaCl2 increased to 7.18) was included to determine if lime induced any micronutrient deficiency.

Other trial notes

Robson AD, Loneragan JF, Gartrell JW and Snowball K (1984) Aust. J. Agric. Res. 35: 347-58.

Reute, DJ and Robinson JB (1986) 'Plant analysis. An interpretation manual.' (Inkata Press)

Coventry DR, Reeves TG, Brooke HD, Ellington A and Slattery WJ (1987) Aust. J. Exp. Agric.

Trial report and links


No trial reports or attachments found


Trial last modified: 21-10-2019 09:34am AEST