More Profit from Crop Nutrition: Micronutrient Survey

A scoping study to develop a risk assessment for micronutrient deficiency in the grains industry.

IPNI-2012-AUS-15

Overview

A national survey of the extent of micronutrient (zinc, copper, managanese, boron, molybdenum) deficiencies across all regions and agroecological zones with analysis against environmental and management metadata by 2013. Micronutrients or trace elements have been proposed as the next major nutrient limitation to improved grain production. Copper, zinc, boron, molybdenum and manganese have all been shown to give significant yield improvements in particular situations. Read more

Year of initiation:2012

Year of completion:2013

Map:

Articles

25 Aug 2014	Micronutrients Copper and Manganese Their role, requirements and options
18 Aug 2014	Copper deficiency and frost damage Similar symptoms - different causes

Interpretive Summary

2013

Using data from regional soil tests, grain nutrient contents and a review of literature, the risk of plant micronutrient deficiencies (B, Cu, Mn, Mo, and Zn) was made across the Australian grains belt. The results indicate that the major micronutrient risk is from Zn deficiency and while Cu deficiency is not widely indicated, there are uncertainties about the risks associated with Cu. Future research should still focus on the deployment of these two micronutrients within cropping systems.

2012

Australia has had a long history of investigation into micronutrient deficiency, including significant advances in nutrition of pastures, crops and animals. In the grain growing regions, there are reports of B, Cu, Mn, Mo, and Zn deficiencies as well as particular cases where Fe deficiency is seen.