Critical Limit of Manganese for Soybean in Soils of Three Agro-Ecological Zones of Bangladesh

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient for plants, which influences multiple physiological systems. Determination of the critical limit (CL) of Mn in the soil is necessary for Mn fertilizer application as this limit delineates the deficiency, optimum, and toxicity ranges of Mn. A pot experiment was performed in the winter season with 20 soils collected from three Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) of Bangladesh to determine the CL of Mn for soybean (Glycine max L.). Manganese was applied in soil @ 0, 1, 2, and 4 ppm, and the experiment was laid out in a factorial and completely randomized design with three replications. The CL of Mn was determined by the Cate-Nelson graphical and statistical approach and was found 3.60 and 3.55 mu g g-1, respectively. Applying 1 mu g g-1 Mn in soil significantly enhanced root and shoot weight, as well as seed yield of soybean compared to no Mn application. In field conditions, a significant positive response of soybean yield was found up to the CL of Mn. The findings of the study could help predict possible Mn deficiency in soil and soybean response to Mn fertilizer, which is important in decision-making for efficient fertilizer management practices to ensure the yield potential of soybeans.