November 2013

Crop Nutrition
Fact Sheet

Northern, Southern and Western regions

Micronutrients
Micronutrient deficiencies can be tricky to diagnose and treat. By knowing your soil type, considering crop
requirements and the season, and supporting this knowledge with diagnostic tools and strategies, effective
management is possible.

photo: Matthew Witney

KEY POINTS
–– Micronutrient deficiencies are best
determined by looking at the overall
situation: region, soil type, season,
crop and past fertiliser management.
–– Soil type is useful in deducing the
risk of micronutrient deficiencies.
–– Tissue testing is the best way to
accurately diagnose a suspected
micronutrient deficiency.
–– When tissue testing, sample the
appropriate tissues at the right time.
Plant nutrient status varies according
to the plant’s age, variety and
weather conditions.
–– The difference between deficient and This zinc trial shows the plot on the left with zinc compared to no zinc on the right. Zinc
adequate (or toxic) levels of some deficiency appears as a lesion and a chlorosis between the veins of new leaves, producing
micronutrients can be very small. a banding appearance. Leaf and plant growth become stunted with increasing severity of
–– When applying fertiliser to treat the deficiency, and leaves eventually die and fall off the plant.
a suspected deficiency, leave a
strip untreated. Either a visual (B), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), Traditionally, cultivation distributed these
response or tissue testing can molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn). micronutrients through the topsoil but the
allow you to confirm whether the introduction of no-till and one-pass seeding
Iron (Fe) can be important, especially on
micronutrient was limiting. equipment has led to more limited
strongly alkaline soils. Other micronutrients
are also important for particular plants in physical distribution.
particular situations.
Introduction
A recent study undertaken by the International
Crop demand and uptake
Micronutrients are essential for healthy
Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) on behalf of the Different crop species have different
plant growth. The key challenge is accurate
GRDC found that zinc deficiency is a major micronutrient requirements and this can
identification of deficiencies and knowing
risk on soil types across all three cropping
your risk level. be seen in the amount present in grain
regions (northern, southern and western).
(Table 1, page 2).
Unlike the macronutrients such as nitrogen
Copper deficiency is also a concern,
(N), phosphorus (P), sulphur (S) and potassium Even though the overall amount
although not as widespread as possible
(K) micronutrients are only needed in small of micronutrients in the soil may be
zinc deficiency. Copper and zinc are
quantities. Even so, they can limit production. high, uptake and their removal depends
immobile in the soil, so must be in the
The most likely limiting micronutrients to pathway of as many crop roots as possible on the amount available, which in turn
Australian cropping systems are boron to be accessed by the plant. depends on the soil properties.

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For example, even though there may be making some crops more susceptible to higher grain zinc content (25 milligrams/kg)
130 kilograms per hectare of zinc in the deficiencies than others (Table 2). Copper is than GladiusA (21mg/kg).
soil, much of it may be unavailable and a good example: canola is far more efficient
so is unable to meet the modest plant at accessing this nutrient than wheat. Diagnosis of deficiencies
requirement of 0.1kg/ha in a wheat crop.
Micronutrient concentration can also vary The overall situation – soil type + season +
The differing requirements of various crops between cultivars. For example, when crop – is the most reliable indicator of the
are often due to differences in root systems, grown on the same sites, Yitpi wheat had
A
possibility of the deficiency. While soil tests

Micronutrients Table 1 Micronutrient concentration and crop removal in a 4t/ha

For tissue testing in cereals take the wheat crop, a 2.5 t/ha canola crop and a 2.0t/ha lupin crop.
youngest emerged leaf blade at mid- Nutrient Wheat grain Removal Canola grain Removal Lupin content Removal
tillering. (Copper can be sampled at mg/kg 4t/ha (g/ha) mg/kg 2.5t/ha (g/ha) (mg/kg) 2.0t/ha (g/ha)
the flag leaf stage). Boron 2 8 13 33 20 40
Copper 5 20 4 10 5 10
For canola, sample the youngest
fully emerged leaf. Manganese 44 176 49 125 40 800
Molybdenum 0.2 0.8 0.3 0.8 2 4
Boron (B)
Zinc 25 100 34 85 30 60
–– Tissue test results below 2 to 4mg/kg Source: Rob Norton, IPNI
are marginal, values greater than 5 to
10mg/kg indicate B adequacy.
–– Adequate supply under acidic and –– On very acidic soils, soil-applied
wet, compacted heavy soils. Mo may not supply a wheat crop
–– Critical level for hot water soluble for the entire season.
(HWS) B soil test: <0.5mg/kg.
–– Not readily leached.
–– Long to very long residual availability Zinc (Zn)
–– Very small window between
of applied Cu (>15 years).
deficiency and toxicity (0.5mg/kg –– A tissue test result of <10mg/kg
to 5mg/kg) Manganese (Mn) indicates Zn deficiency.
–– Deficiency most likely on acidic, –– Critical level for DTPA Zn soil test:
–– A tissue test resulting in an Mn value
sandy soil with low organic matter <0.2 to at least 0.4mg/kg, or even
of <20mg/kg indicates a possible
(OM), low pH and low water-holding higher on alkaline clay soils. Critical
deficiency, less than 10mg/kg is
capacity (WHC). values vary with pH, clay content
almost certainly deficient.
–– Deficiency can also appear and OM content.
–– Critical levels for DTPA Mn soil test:
after liming. –– Deficiency most likely on alkaline
<5mg/kg (but this is an unreliable
–– Very mobile and subject to leaching, test). sands with a high P concentration
has limited residual availability. (high pH, low WHC).
–– Deficiency most likely on well-
–– Adequate supply is likely on alkaline, drained, alkaline and dry soils (high –– Deficiency can first appear as
low OM soils. pH, low WHC). stunted, irregular growth and
two-toning of leaves, followed by a
Copper (Cu) –– Adequate supply most likely on acidic,
lesion developing in the middle of
waterlogged soils with high OM.
–– Copper can be tested at the flag leaf the leaf. Leaf may ‘kink’ over.
–– Can leach as Mn2+ or MnO2+.
stage in cereals. A tissue test result –– Adequate supply most likely on
of 1.3 to 1.6mg/kg indicates a mild –– Shorter residual availability than Cu. heavy, acidic, high OM soils.
deficiency. <1.3mg/kg is moderately –– Residual availability of applied zinc
Molybdenum (Mo)
to severely deficient. is moderate (three to five years) on
–– Critical level for DTPA Cu soil test: –– A tissue test result of <0.03mg/kg alkaline soils.
<0.2 to 0.4mg/kg indicates Mo deficiency.
–– Residual availability of applied zinc
–– Deficiency most likely on alkaline –– Critical level for CaCl2 Mo soil test: is >15 years on acid, low OM,
and sandy soils in the south and <0.1mg/kg although like Mn, soil sandy soils.
west, and soils with a high OM tests for Mo are unreliable.
–– Zn stimulates root systems so
concentration (high pH, low WHC, –– Deficiency most likely on acid sandy healthy levels can assist in fighting
high OM). soils with poor P history (low pH, low diseases such as rhizoctonia.
–– Early season Cu deficiency is WHC). High sulfur supplies can also
induce deficiencies. –– If group B herbicides have been
evidenced by ‘pig tailing’ (curling) used Zn strategy may need to be
but may be temporary, due to dry –– Adequate supply on alkaline revisited. Some group Bs can lower
conditions or large N applications. If heavy soils. levels of Zn uptake in the plant.
deficiency is prolonged, heads may –– Frequently adequate where acid soils
go dark at the end of the season with
–– On soils with high levels of free
have been limed to pHCa>4.8. lime, more than one application
grains missing from the head.
–– Declines to around 50 per cent after may be needed.
two years, depending on soil pH.
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work best for macronutrients, tissue tests

photo: international Plant Nutrition Institute

are the most robust method of identifying a
micronutrient deficiency.
A major challenge is that we simply do not
have adequate critical interpretation criteria
for tissue testing for many micronutrients.

Tissue testing
Plant tissue testing is a more reliable
method than soil testing for diagnosing and
monitoring micronutrient status.
It is essential to collect a proper sample
for tissue testing. The distribution of
micronutrients can be different in leaves,
stems or whole plants.
Boron is essential for growth and development of new cells. It is immobile in the plant,
Plant nutrient status may also vary so deficiency symptoms will appear as abnormal growth on the youngest leaves. Boron-
according to the age of the plant, the deficient canola can appear as deformed, curled and rough-skinned leaves with torn
variety and the weather conditions. margins and yellow to brown spots in the interveinal area of the leaves.
Tissue test samples can become
contaminated if they come into contact and handle the samples very carefully to production in Western Australia in some
with any other surface, such as skin, soil, ensure their integrity. seasons and adequate in others. The soil
cars, etc. Always wear disposable gloves test values also change with soil types.
For cereals, take the youngest emerged
Table 2 Susceptibility of leaf blade at mid-tillering. Copper can be Note: there are no reliable soil tests for iron,
different crops to micronutrient sampled for at the flag leaf stage, and if it manganese or molybdenum.
deficiencies. is marginal in the youngest tissue it can be If you plan to use soil testing, choose a
Micronutrient Susceptible crops applied as a foliar spray before flowering. laboratory accredited by the Australasian Soil
Boron Legumes, brassicas For canola, sample the youngest fully and Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC). ASPAC
emerged leaf for diagnostic tissue testing. accreditation provides assurance that the lab
Wheat, barley, sunflower, lucerne
Copper (canola tolerant) is proficient in the particular test you require.
Detailed sampling procedures for each You will find a list of certified labs on the
Iron Some legumes (cereals tolerant)
crop, related to the optimum growth ASPAC website (see Useful Resources).
Manganese Oats, legumes stage, can be obtained from fertiliser
Molybdenum Brassicas, legumes companies, agribusiness personnel or Visual symptoms
Zinc Oats, wheat, barley (canola tolerant) agricultural consultants. Visual symptoms can also be a guide, but
Source: Rob Norton, IPNI be aware some symptoms may mimic
Soil testing other unrelated problems. They may also
In general, soil tests have a low reliability be temporary or transient due to cold
in predicting micronutrient deficiencies weather, drought or slow root growth.
because the elements are present in such
For example, a copper deficiency in cereals
low quantities.
can resemble frost, take-all or drought,
Analytical laboratories use a range of and even a molybdenum deficiency can
chemicals to extract the micronutrients produce white heads.
in soil to assess what is available to the
plant. For example, DTPA is a common SoilMapp
photo: Matthew Witney

extractant and the critical value for DTPA

CSIRO has developed an excellent app for
extractable zinc can be as low as 0.2mg/kg iPads called SoilMapp, an Australian
or less, depending on soil type. Obtaining soil database that allows users to learn
reliable analytical results with such low about the likely soil types on their property
soil concentrations requires careful soil or anywhere else in the country (see
sampling and handling. Useful Resources).
Copper is a key element of In addition, a low soil test value may The app’s location service can be used to
chlorophyll and plays a central role in be close to either a normal or toxic place you on the soil map so your particular soil
photosynthesis, and deficiencies are value for that nutrient. For example, type can be identified. Once known, the risk of
often associated with high organic hot water soluble (HWS) boron at less micronutrient deficiency can be assessed.
matter soils. Early season deficiency is than 0.5mg/kg is considered a deficiency,
evidenced by ‘pig tailing’. If deficiency while more than 5.0mg/kg is toxic. Effects of soil type
is prolonged heads may go dark with
Similarly, a DTPA manganese soil test value In the northern region, the main issue
grains missing.
of 3 to 4mg/kg may be deficient for lupin appears to be zinc on Kandosols, Vertosols
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and Sodosols. There is uncertainty about have seen good results with fluid or liquid

photo: International Plant Nutrition Institute

copper generally. in-furrow micronutrients.
In the south, Calcarosols, Sodosols and It is best to apply immobile nutrients to the
Vertosols have high risk of zinc deficiency, most responsive crop; cereals respond
while manganese deficiency is likely to be a better than oilseeds to zinc and copper
significant risk on these soils if they contain application. Depending on the soil type,
more than 60 per cent free calcium carbonate. annual applications may not be needed.
In the western region Sodosols are the For nutrients with a lower residual activity
major soil order and low zinc is seen on or where soils are likely to strongly
these soils. However Kandosols and bind micronutrients, annual or tactical
Tenosols are also more prevalent in the applications may be best. These can be
west than in eastern states. in-furrow or in-crop foliar applications.
Acidic soil types, such as the more strongly If a spray application of foliar fertiliser is to
acidic Tenosols, are likely to be at risk be undertaken, leave a strip untreated. This
of molybdenum deficiency. Manganese will allow you to determine whether it was
deficiency is also moderately likely in the micronutrient that was limiting. Manganese is part of the plant’s enzyme
Kandosols and Tenosols. For foliar applications to be effective, a systems. Deficiencies often occur on
large plant leaf area is required to absorb high organic matter soils with neutral to
Treatment the product. If applying to seedlings, alkaline pH and on those soils that are
With immobile nutrients such as copper multiple applications may be necessary. naturally low in manganese. Manganese
and zinc, physical distribution through the Post-harvest, grain nutrient testing can is immobile in the plant, so its deficiency
soil is important to ensure roots interact appears as reduced or stunted growth
be considered. This will not provide a
with placed fertiliser. with visual interveinal chlorosis on
conclusive guide to the risk of micronutrient
younger leaves. Cereals can develop
Smaller granules of fertiliser, more of them deficiency, but in conjunction with
gray spots on their lower leaves, and
and better placement, will be more effective information from the overall situation (crop,
legumes can develop necrotic areas on
than a fertiliser with larger granules, even season, soil type) it can be used to inform
their cotyledons.
if it is more concentrated. Some growers potential management decisions.

Useful Resources Further information project Codes

ASPAC Ross Brennan CSA00021, DAN00165, IPN00001

www.aspac-australasia.com DAFWA
08 9892 8474
Find a laboratory with comprehensive
[email protected]
ASPAC certification:
www.aspac-australasia.com/index.php/ Robert Norton
component/labproficiency IPNI
03 5381 2673
Better fertiliser decisions for
[email protected]
cropping systems in Australia
www.bfdc.com.au Simon Speirs
NSW DPI
Fertcare accreditation
®
0428 647 787
www.fertilizer.org.au
[email protected]
IPNI micronutrients presentation
Nigel Wilhelm
anz.ipni.net/article/ANZ-3181
SARDI
SoilMapp 0407 185 501
www.csiro.au/soilmapp. [email protected]

Acknowledgements: Andy Bates, Bates Agricultural Consulting; Ross Brennan, DAFWA; Robert Norton, IPNI; Simon Speirs, NSW DPI;
Mike Bell, QAAFI; Nigel Wilhelm, SARDI; Matthew Witney, Dodgshun Medlin.

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