Manganese deficiency is the most common trace element deficiency in England & Wales. Crop failure can occur if not treated. The most severe problems occur on black sands, organic or peaty soils with a pH above 6.0. Deficiency is common but less severe on sands & loamy sands with a pH above 6.5. Over-liming frequently induces it. Symptoms may be transient and may disappear following rain.

Diagnosis

Soil Analysis is not a reliable indicator of manganese deficiency. Visual analysis is the most appropriate diagnostic technique with leaf analysis possible if there is any doubt. Look below to see some descriptions and pictures of diagnostic for mainstream arable crops.

Fertilising for Manganese Deficiency

• Foliar application of Agrimanganese15%Mn
• Manganese Sulphate [28% Mn] is often used at a rate of 9Kgs/ha Manganese Sulphate dissolved in at least 250 l/ha water plus wetter to give 2.5 Kgs/ha elemental manganese. Some crops may need more than one spray.
• Bunns Granusol® Manganese Longer-lasting soil-acting treatment is possible with the use of Bunns Granusol Manganese [36% Mn], a soil-dispersing granular manganese applied at 25 Kgs/ha to give 9Kgs/ha elemental Manganese. The Granusol Manganese is buffered against high pHs and in Bunn's trials has demonstrated season-long manganese protection for susceptible crops tallied with substantial yield and quality improvements.

Manganese Deficiency Illustrated Examples

Acknowledgements & Source of Information:
The table above is partly reproduced from Trace Element Deficiency In Field Crops published 1980.

	Wheat [Triticum vulgare] Initially pale leaves, whilst later the older leaves show rows of interveinal white streaks near the mid-point of the leaf.
	Barley Initially pale leaves, whilst later the older leaves show rows of interveinal white streaks near the mid-point of the leaf. Barley under stress may show an overall leaf spotting which is not associated with manganese deficiency.
	Oats "Grey Speck" Oats are very susceptible to manganese deficiency and show interveinal yellowing with grey or buff coloured streaks on the lower half of the older leaves. These streaks turn necrotic in severe cases and the leaf breaks in the middle
	Sugar Beet [Beta vulgaris] Beet is susceptible and may show symptoms as early as the two true-leaf stage. The older leaves develop an interveinal yellow mottle and the leaf margins curl inwards giving a triangular and erect leaf habit. Sugar beet often show deficiency before there is enough leaf cover for foliar application to be effective. If this is to be the case, a Manganese seed-coating can be used or Bunns soil-active Granusol Manganese incorporated before drilling.
	Red Beet Loss of colour produces leaves with an overall dull-red colour. The leaf margins curl inwards. Field patches have a very distinctive dull red colour. No Picture
	Potatoes [Solanum tuberosum] Initial Paleness of younger leaves. Some varieties show blackish-brown spots along the veins which are best seen on the underside of the leaf.
	Dwarf Beans Very susceptible to manganese deficiency. The older leaves show a strong interveinal yellow mottle whilst the veins themselves remain green.
	Peas "Marsh Spot" Shows in the growing crop as interveinal-yellowing on the older leaves. Dries peas show marsh-spot, an internal brown discolouration which is not visible until the centre of the pea is split [illustrated left].
	Carrots Manganese deficiency occurs as light patches in the field with no specific leaf symptom. Older leaves turn yellow in severe cases.
	Celery The main symptom of manganese deficiency is a pale green leaf. Older leaves show interveinal yellow-mottling particularly at the leaf margins. No Picture
	Onions The main symptom of manganese deficiency is a pale green leaf. Older leaves show interveinal yellow-mottling in the severest cases. No Picture
	Oil Seed Rape [Brassica napus olefera] Older leaves show fine interveinal yellow or yellow-white mottling. No Picture
	Fruit Trees Most species show interveinal yellow of the older leaves which begins at the leaf margins and gradually extends to towards the midrib leaving a band of green along the vein. No Picture