Effects of Applied Soil Micronutrients on Corn and Soybean Yields in Eastern South Dakota Environments.

Micronutrients although taken up by plants in small quantities, their deficiencies can have significant detrimental effects on grain yield. As growers aim for maximum corn and soybean yields, availability of micronutrients in agricultural market both as individual source or combined with other secondary nutrients have also increased. However, effects of micronutrients on corn and soybean grain yields are not well documented for South Dakota (SD) soils, and growers seem to be concerned if application of micronutrients will boost their crop yields. A two year study was initiated in 2015 in eastern South Dakota (SD) to evaluate the effects of Boron (B), Copper (Cu), and Manganese (Mn) on corn and soybean yields. A total of five sites- that included famer cooperators fields and South Dakota State University research stations in three Counties were used in 2015 growing season. The treatments were arranged in Randomize Complete Block (RCB) design with four replicates at each location with a ‘control’ plot that did not receive any micronutrients included in all blocks. The preliminary results showed that the applied micronutrients did not show any significant effects on neither corn nor soybean yields at all tested environments, however, the leaf tissue analyses at R1-R2 growth stage of soybean showed significant differences for B levels. This poster presents results from only 2015 growing season- data from 2016 season are being analyzed.