

ANTAGONISM BETWEEN MANGANESE AND IRON IN 

 THE GROWTH OF WHEAT 



W. E. TOTTINGHAM and A. J. BECK 

 University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisco7isin 



INTRODUCTION 



The effect of manganese upon the growth of plants has been 

 the subject of numerous investigations conducted with nutrient 

 solutions and soils, both in the greenhouse and on field plots. 

 Most of the work along this Une has been well summarized by 

 Brenchley.^ It has been found that while salts of manganese 

 are toxic to higher plants if presented in higher concentrations, 

 they also exercise a stimulating effect which is evident at very 

 low concentrations. 



Among the investigations which should be especially noted in 

 the present connection is the work of McCool- with Canada 

 field peas. He found calcium effective in counteracting the toxic 

 action of manganese in full nutrient solutions when both ele- 

 ments were supplied as chlorides. He also noted mutual antago- 

 nism between manganese and the following elements: potassium, 

 sodium, magnesium. When the two were simultaneously sup- 

 plied as chlorides magnesium was found to prevent chlorosis by 

 manganese. Particularly striking is McCool's observation that 

 manganese was more injurious the more intense the hght, the 

 injurious effects in any case being confined mainly to the tops 

 of the plants. 



Aso^ found manganous sulfate to be toxic to barley, wheat and 

 peas grown in water cultures. The addition of ferrous sulfate 



1 Brenchley, Winifred E., Inorganic Plant Poisons and Stimulants. Cam- 

 bridge, Eng., 1914. 



2 McCool, M. M., The Action of Certain Nutrient and Non-nutrient Bases 

 on Plant Growth II. Memoir No. 2, Cornell Agrl. Expt. Sta., 1913. 



' Aso, K., On the action of manganese compounds on plants. Tokyo Coll. 

 of Agr. Bulletins 5 : 177-185, 1902-1903. 



359 



THE PLANT WORLD, VOL. 19, NO. 12 

 DECEMBER, 1916 



