How does placement influence the efficacy of zinc oxide and zinc sulfate fertilisers?

2012

Research organisatons

Trial details

Researcher(s) F Degryse
Therese McBeath
Mike McLaughlin
Year(s) 2012
Contributor South Australian Research and Development Institute
Trial location(s) Adelaide, SA
Further information View external link
How does placement influence the efficacy of zinc oxide and zinc sulfate fertilisers? locations
Aims

To discuss how placement influences the efficacy of zinc oxide and zinc sulfate fertilisers.

Key messages
  • Glasshouse experiments measured plant DM response and recovery of Zn fertilisers in oxide and sulfate form using three placement treatments - banded, mixed throughout the soil volume, and applied to the soil surface.
  •  Also plant recovery of Zn from pure Zn phosphates and carbonates, which are likely reaction products of banded Zn fertilisers in soil, was measured. Recovery of Zn from Zn phosphates, carbonates and oxides was lower than that of Zn sulfates when banded.
  • Placement was the major factor controlling plant responsiveness to Zn.
  • Zinc oxide fertilisers had very low water solubility and slow dissolution rates in water, which is related to the high pH when the oxide is dissolved in water.
  • There was significantly less recovery of fertiliser Zn by plants from Zn oxides than from Zn sulfates when the fertiliser was banded near the seed, likely due to higher pH in the band as the oxide dissolved.
  • However, the Zn supply to plants was the same for both sources of Zn when fertilisers were mixed through the soil, as the soil likely buffered any dissolution-induced pH increases.
  • This means that Zn oxides, despite their low water solubility, can be effective fertilisers if uniformly mixed throughout the crop rooting depth but Zn sulfate is preferable for banding or surface application.
Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation CSIRO - Waite Campus
Related program More Profit from Crop Nutrition
Acknowledgments

Thanks to the International Zinc Association for funding this work. Thanks also to Caroline Johnston and Maria Manjarrez for technical assistance.


Other trial partners Not specified

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Fertiliser: Application Method
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Unknown

Adelaide 2012

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

Trial report and links


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Trial last modified: 09-10-2019 12:12pm AEST