Long-term fertility treatments and molybdenum availability

Abstract

Recent on-farm liming experiments showed that Mo deficiency in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is widespread in northern Alabama. In contrast, a long-term, fertility-rotation experiment in the same area showed no response to Mo during 33 yr when Mo was added bienially to corn [Zea mays L.] in the rotation; however, soybean foliage had the chlorotic appearance of Mo deficiency. The objective of this study was to determine if Mo deficiency was being missed by comparing only two fertilizer treatments. Each rotation-fertilizer treatment plot was split into two, with one-half receiving MO at a 100 g ha⁻¹ foliar rate after seedling emergence, while the other half received none. Yields were increased by Mo in 13 to 16 fertilizer treatments in 1985 and 15 out of 16 in 1986. Leaf-N concentrations and seed weight had comparable increased amounts by the Mo supplement. Without the Mo supplement, there was a response to lime but not to P, K, or a Mo-containing micronutrient mixture; with the Mo supplement, there was no response to liming, but a definite response to P and K (in addition to Mo). The lack of response to Mo when applied to corn in a 2-yr rotation over 33 yr led to the erroneous conclusion that these soils were not Mo deficient for soybean.