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Correcting pH‐Induced Manganese Deficiency in Bermudagrass Turf 1
Author(s) -
Snyder G. H.,
Burt E. O.,
Gascho G. J.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1979.00021962007100040020x
Subject(s) - manganese , human fertilization , agronomy , irrigation , chemistry , soil ph , sulfate , environmental chemistry , soil water , environmental science , biology , organic chemistry , soil science
Manganese deficiency of ‘Tifgreen’ bermudagrass ( Cynodon ✕ magenissii Hurcombe) turf has been observed in South Florida when soil pH exceeded 7 as a result of irrigation with alkaline water. A 2‐year field study on Pompano fine sand (a siliceous, hyperthermic, typic Psammaquent) was designed to evaluate three approaches to correcting this deficiency: 1) soil pH reduction with acid forming N sources, 2) Mn fertilization at rates up to 5 g/m 2 using MnSO 4 , a Mn‐chelate, or a Mn‐frit, and 3) MnSO 4 fertilization in combination with a series of fungicidal drenches for suppressing Mn‐oxidizing soil fungi. Sulfate and chelate Mn sources provided short‐term correction of the deficiency, but little response to the frit source was noted. Sustained correction was achieved with MnSO 4 in combination with the fungicidal drenches. However, adequate Mn nutrition was obtained even in the absence of Mn fertilization when soil pH was maintained below 7 with acid‐forming N sources. This treatment appears most suitable for turfgrass, since considerable N commonly is used in turfgrass production.