Manganese is an essential micronutrient required for optimal growth and development of wheat plants. Its deficiency can lead to reduced growth, chlorosis, necrosis and yield losses. Hence, it is crucial to ensure an adequate supply of manganese to wheat crops. Here are some effective ways to control manganese deficiency in wheat:
Soil pH Management: Manganese availability is greatly influenced by soil pH levels. Maintaining a soil pH of 6.0-7.0 promotes adequate manganese availability. In acidic soils, liming is a popular method to increase pH levels.
Use of Manganese Fertilizers: Application of manganese fertilizers can greatly help in controlling manganese deficiency in wheat. Manganese sulfate, manganese oxide, and chelated manganese are popular manganese sources for crops. However, excessive use can lead to manganese toxicity, so it’s vital to follow application guidelines.
Crop Rotation: Growing wheat year after year can result in manganese depletion from the soil. Hence, crop rotation with legumes like lentils, chickpeas, and peas can help in fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, improving soil health, and increasing manganese availability.
Foliar Application of Manganese: Foliar application of manganese can provide quick relief to manganese-deficient wheat plants. Manganese sulfate and chelated manganese forms are the popular choice for foliar applications. Repeat spraying should be done when required.
Plant Breeding: As manganese deficiency is a genetic trait, breeding programs have been initiated to develop wheat cultivars with higher tolerance to manganese deficiency.
In conclusion, controlling manganese deficiency in wheat involves maintaining the right soil pH, using manganese fertilizers, crop rotation, foliar application of manganese, and breeding programs. Adequate management of manganese deficiency can maximize the growth, productivity, and quality of wheat crops.