Soil Test and Tissue Analysis Evaluations for Micronutrients in Wheat.

Increased wheat (Triticum aestivum) yield potential may require the need for secondary and micronutrient fertilization. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the wheat response to micronutrient fertilization and evaluate soil testing and tissue analysis as diagnostic tools. Ten locations were established in 2012-2014 under dryland conditions and conventional tillage system. Fertilizer treatments consisted of broadcast iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) (at 11 kg/ha), and boron (B) (at 3 kg/ha). Micronutrient fertilizers were granulated sulfate-based (Cu was an oxy-sulfate, and B was boric acid). Soil samples were collected from each plot before fertilizer application and after harvest, and analyzed for micronutrients. Tissue samples were collected at feekes 8 by collecting the flag leaf and grain samples at harvest, and analyzed for the nutrients applied with the fertilizer treatments. Results across locations showed no yield increase with the application of any of the micronutrients. Post-harvest soil test results showed significant increases in soil test Zn, Cu, and B with the application of these nutrients. Tissue concentration of Zn, Cu and B was increased with fertilizer application as well as Zn content in the grain.