Soybean Micronutrient Content in Irrigated Plants Grown in the Midsouth

ABSTRACT

Concentrations and contents of iron (Fe), boron (B), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) were determined for two MG IV and one MG V irrigated soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) cultivars grown on clay and sandy loam soils in 2011 and 2012. Plants were sampled at V3, R2, R4, R6, and R8, tissues separated, dried, weighed, and nutrient concentrations determined. Nutrient contents were calculated. No cultivar, site, or year differences in nutrient concentrations or contents were observed. Iron had the greatest concentration and content of all followed by B, Zn, Mn, and Cu. Maximum concentrations and contents in leaves occurred at R4 and later declined. Concentrations and contents in stems remained constant or increased while pods rapidly increased until (R8). A 3328 kg ha⁻¹ seed yield will remove 325.0 g Fe ha⁻¹, 153.9 g B ha⁻¹, 175.6 g Zn ha⁻¹, 100.0 g Mn ha⁻¹, and 52.5 g Cu ha⁻¹.

KEYWORDS:

• Bosket fine sandy loam
• Dundee silty clay
• irrigation
• micronutrients
• soybean
• trace elements