MANGANESE AS A FERTILISER.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19813, 28 December 1929, Page 15

MANGANESE AS A FERTILISER.

STRIKING RESULTS. Mr Geo. Lee. Templeion. writes as follows: For many years it has been held that tin elements are essential tor plant growth. In recent years evidence has accumulated which indicates that certain other elements are essential in small quantities. As to whether they are necessary for their own sake, or whether their effect is stimulative in character, is not definitely knownHowever, it seems pretty well established that when these elements _ are present satisfactory results are obtained, and that when they are deficient imsatisfaetorv returns are the result. One of these elements is manganese. A number of investigations in various places indicate that this element under certain conditions exerts a marked effect on crop growth and on the health of plants. The subject is of considerable importance to fruit and vegetable growers, because manganese seems to be associated with chlorosis, which is a yellowing of the foliage resulting from improper development of the chlorophyll. This condition is quite pronounced in some places, especially 111 alkali soils. And in soils where 110 animal manure is used chlorosis has presented a problem for many yo&is which was not understood. Results from Experiments. 111 Indiana, a so-called complete plant food culture failed to make tomato plants grow successfully when transferred to the field cultures. The plants developed chlorotie spots, characteristic of manganese deficiency. The application of manganese sulphate returned the plants to their normal health. Similar results were obtained with corn, cabbage, wheat, barley, and tobacco. In Florida small amounts of manganese sulphate applied with stable manure increased the yield of tomatoes o\er one hundred crates per acre above manure alone. When the manganese was mixed with peat the yield was increased 225 crates per acre in one test, and 125 crates in another, as compared with peat alone. In another Florida observation manganese improved the growth of potatoes. Potatoes gave an incx-ease of 291b pel" row from manganese used at the rate of 2001b per acre. The growth and yield of beans in Dade county, Florida, were materially increased when 1001b manganese sulphate were used with manure and 4-S-8 fertiliser. Strawberries produced three times as much fruit in Dade county soils when receiving manganese. Carrots were two or three weeks earlier on manganese treated soils, and beets and turnips responded in like manner. In Rhode Island 801b of manganese sulphate per acre, corrected a chlorotie condition of spinach, and increased the yield 215 per cent. In Florida, tomatoes gave good results from manure alone, but failed when complete fertiliser was used. The difference was explained by the fact that manure contains a small amount of manganese. Other tests gave good results from fertiliser and manganese without manure. Various tests have indicated that manganese is deficient in availability in alkali soils. Some of the symptoms (lue to manganese deficiency have been corrected with potash. Manganese may be carried in potash fertiliser as an impurity. There is ample need for supplies of manganese in this country. I have various trees subject to the chlorotie condition, and large numbers of plants ! in this Dominion are in urgent need of the manganese sulphate, including wheat an<l barley. If some manufacturer of this fertiliser would advertise in the Press, there is no doubt he would soon have plenty of customers.