How to Treat Manganese Deficiency in Plants

So you now know your corn crop or other plants have manganese deficiency and you want to know how to treat it. It's fairly easy to treat manganese deficiency once you know that's that problem with your plants. Here's how to successfully treat manganese deficiency and get your plants healthy again.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Get a soil test kit. You can pick one of these up at your local hardware store or garden center. Choose a kit that tests mineral content and not just soil pH.

2. Collect soil samples from around your field. You need to get a good cross section of what is contained in your soil, so be sure to select samples from several different areas to get a good idea of the average amounts of minerals in each area.

3. Consider having your soil professionally analyzed. This is a good idea, especially if you use your crop as a way of supplementing your income. The results are generally more reliable than using a soil test kit.

4. Analyze the soil test results. The difference between a manganese deficiency and an iron deficiency in plants is almost impossible to determine from plant symptoms. Look at your soil analysis to know what minerals your plants lack and which ones you need to add.

5. Enrich your soil with a solution of manganese sulfate. Mix 2 tablespoons of manganese sulfate in 2 1/2 gallons of water and add a few drops of liquid detergent. Apply a chelated iron or fritted trace elements if you have more than just a manganese deficiency.