LAUSR

BACKGROUND The environmental risk of the application of synthetic chelates has furthered the implementation of biodegradable complexes to correct Mn-deficient plants. This study used the biodegradable ligands of heptagluconate (G7) and gluconate (G6) to test the influence of the Mn2+ :ligand ratio on their fertilisers' capacity to provide Mn to plants. The efficacy of these complexes to correct Mn-deficient soybean was evaluated in hydroponics and calcareous soil conditions and compared with the synthetic chelate EDTA. RESULTS This study demonstrated that G7 was a biodegradable alternative to EDTA for supplying Mn, maintaining an adequate nutritional balance compared with G6, which reduced Fe uptake by the plants. The efficacy of the Mn complexes depended on both the ligand and the Mn:ligand ratio, with the 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios of Mn2+ :G7 being the most effective complexes in the short term on the basis of their chemical structure and stability. CONCLUSION The Mn2+ :G7 (1:1 and 1:2) complexes were found to be effective Mn sources for plant nutrition due to their chemical structures providing adequate stability in alkaline solution and their fast-action effect. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.