Effect of Corn, Sugarbeets, and Fallow on Zinc Availability to Subsequent Crops

Leggett, G.E. and Westermann, D.T. (1986) Effect of Corn, Sugarbeets, and Fallow on Zinc Availability to Subsequent Crops. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 50(4):963-968.

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Abstract

Field observations indicated that Zn deficiency of beans (Phaseolus
vulgaris L.) was sometimes more severe than expected when
grown on fallowed soil that was low to marginal in available Zn.
The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of fallow,
sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris L.), and corn (Zea mays L.) on Zn availability
to subsequent crops grown on a Portneuf silt loam (Durixerollic
Calciorthids, coarse silty, mixed, mesic). The sugarbeet and
corn plant tops and sugarbeet roots were removed, and 11.2 kg Zn
ha-1 was applied on one-half of each plot before fall plowing 25-cm
deep. Beans, sweet corn, or potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) were
planted the following spring. Whole plant samples of beans and
sweet corn and potato stems, leaflets, and petioles were sampled for
chemical analyses during the growing season. All bean plants were
Zn deficient when grown after fallow or sugarbeets but not after
corn or where Zn fertilized. Potatoes and sweet corn did not show
any Zn deficiency symptoms or any growth responses to Zn fertilization.
The average zinc concentration in beans (vegetative development
stage, V3) following Corn was 20.5 mg kg-1 compared with
12.5 mg kg-1 following fallow or sugarbeets without Zn fertilization.
The average Zn uptake by beans (V3) following corn was 1.3 g ha-1
compared with 0.6 g ha-1 after fallow or suprbeets without Zn
fertilization. The Zn uptake after corn was even greater than where
11.2 kg Zn ha-1 was applied to fallow or sugarbeets (1.3 vs. 0.9 g
Zn ha-1). Enhanced Zn availability following corn persisted
throughout the growing season and into a second bean crop, although
at a decreased level. Similar trends occurred with potatoes
and sweet corn. Soil DTPA-extractable Zn was not significantly
different after fallow, sugarbeets, or corn. These results indicate that
Zn deficiency in sensitive crops may be alleviated or prevented depending
upon the preceding crop grown, and that factors not measured
by DTPA can significantly influence Zn availability.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0580
Subjects:	Irrigated crops > Corn / maize Irrigated crops > Sugarbeet Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:52
Last Modified:	13 Jan 2017 20:07
Item ID:	462
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/462