Chemical properties and reactivity of manganese chelates and complexes in solution and soils

Commercial fertilizers containing synthetic manganese (Mn) chelates and complexes are currently used to alleviate Mn deficiency in crops. However, studies conducted on Mn sources in order to evaluate their behavior maintaining Mn soluble in nutrient solution and soil have not been done. In this work, representative commercial Mn fertilizers based on chelates and complexes were characterized and their chemical stability in solution and interaction with soils has been evaluated. Fertilizers studied were two ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) Mn chelates, one N ‐( 1,2 ‐dicarboxyethyl)‐D,L‐aspartic acid (IDHA) Mn chelate, two lignosulfonates, one carboxylate, one fulvate, one gluconate, and one heptagluconate‐based Mn complex. Characterization consisted of the determination of the soluble and chelated or complexed Mn, and the ligand identification by nuclear‐magnetic resonance (NMR). Stability study included batch experiments in Ca solution at different pH and three batch experiments with soil comparing with MnSO 4 . Results indicate that most of the Mn fertilizers comply with the declared “soluble and chelated or complexed” metal content. At a usual pH range of calcareous soils (7.5–8.5), both chelates and complexes maintain more Mn in solution than MnSO 4 in the presence of Ca. Several factors affect the Mn remaining in solution after the interaction with the soil, especially, the soil‐to‐solution ratio. All chelates and complexes are better alternatives to the use of MnSO 4 in agronomical practices such as fertigation and soil application. Mn‐IDHA as chelate and Mn‐HGl or Mn‐Carb as complexes can be efficient, economical, and environmental friendly fertilizers for foliar application and hydroponic cultures. In soil application, Mn‐EDTA or Mn‐LS would be the best options. In this case, lignosulfonic acid represents a sustainable and low‐cost solution.