1. Effect of micronutrient fertilizer on winter wheat yield
Bruno Morandin Figueiredo
SOIL5112 – Research Methods in Plant and Soil Sciences
Dr. Bill Raun

2. Introduction
Micronutrient are nutrients that are required for plant growth in much lower quantities than macronutrients, such as nitrogen
Deficiencies are not as common as in macronutrients
Micronutrient products are pushed to producers even when there is no evidence of deficiency

3. Introduction
Fertilizer demand have been growing and is expected to keep this way

4. Introduction
Micronutrient fertilizer demand is also projected to increase:
“Global Micronutrient Market to grow at 5.5% to 1,236.5 KMT by 2017”
Source: Global Micronutrient Market Report

5. Objectives
Study the influence of micronutrient fertilization, in winter wheat yield
Study the effect of tillage, and method of application in nutrient response

6. Methodology Design: Randomized complete block Locations:
11 treatments
3 repetitions
Locations:
Perkins (no-till)
Lake Carl Blackwell (conventional till)
Method of application:
Soil at planting
Foliar at feekes 5
Table 1. Rates applied for each treatment in lb/ac
Treatment
Nutrient Rate (lb/ac)
Check -
Foliar Calcium
0.07
Soil Boron
0.68
Foliar Boron
0.27
Soil Chlorine 5
Foliar Chlorine 10
Soil Copper
0.40
Foliar Copper
0.20
Soil Zinc
0.50
Foliar Zinc
0.25

7. Methodology Figure 3. Lab grade CaCl2
Figure 2. Specification sheet for B, Ca, Cu, and Zn products

8. Methodology
Figure 4. Great Plains no-till drill adapted with CO2 system for liquid fertilizer

9. Methodology
Figure 5. Backpack sprayer application at development stage feekes 5

10. Methodology Yield data will be recorded by the combine harvest master;
Data will be analyzed using SAS software through the MIXED procedure;
Contrasts will be utilized to compare soil and foliar applications;
Mean yields will be compared to the check using the DUNNETT’s test at the 5% level;

11. Results Table 2. Mean wheat yield in bushels per acre
per treatment at the Lake Carl Blackwell site for
the growing season.
Table 3. Mean wheat yield in bushels per acre
per treatment at the Perkins site for the
growing season.
Treatment
Yield (bu/ac)
Mean
Std. Dev
Check
31.6*
12.4
26.6
4.8
Foliar Calcium
31.2
11.5
Soil Boron
30.8
7.1
Foliar Boron
29.3
1.8
Soil Chlorine
30.1
5.0
Foliar Chlorine
27.9
8.2
Soil Copper
34.9
10.7
Foliar Copper
22.8
7.3
Soil Zinc
31.7
12.8
Foliar Zinc
31.1
16.0
Treatment
Yield (bu/ac)
Mean
Std. Dev
Check
30.5*
4.4
32.1
5.9
Foliar Calcium
29.2
7.1
Soil Boron
26.4
3.2
Foliar Boron
28.6
5.1
Soil Chlorine
32.2
5.7
Foliar Chlorine
23.9
6.4
Soil Copper
27.2
7.2
Foliar Copper
31.6
5.0
Soil Zinc
25.3
1.7
Foliar Zinc
29.0
9.0
* Treatments were not significantly different
from the check according to Dunnett’s test
at the 5% level.
* Treatments were not significantly different
from the check according to Dunnett’s test
at the 5% level.

12. Conclusion
Before applying any fertilizer to the crop, soil sampling must be done to attest for nutrient deficiency

13. THANK YOU