UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
I BULLETIN No. 441 { 
Contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry 
WM. A. TAYLOR, Chief 
Washington, D. C. 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 
October 27, 1916 
THE ACTION OF MANGANESE UNDER ACID AND 
NEUTRAL SOIL CONDITIONS. 
By J. J. Skinner and F. R. Reid, Biochemists. Office of Soil- Fertility Investigations. 
CONTENTS. 
Introduction 1 
Effect of manganese on Arlington soil under 
acid conditions 2 
Oxidative power of plats with and without 
manganese under acid conditions 5 
Page. 
Effect of manganese on Arlington soil under 
neutral conditions G 
Oxidative power of plats with and without 
manganese under neutral conditions 9 
Summary 11 
INTRODUCTION. 
Investigations of the action of manganese on plants and soils 
have been conducted by the Office of Soil-Fertility Investigations 
both in the laboratory and in the field for several years. 
Manganese is universally found in soils and plants. Robinson, 1 
who examined 26 American soils ; found the content of manganese 
(MnO) to be from 0.01 to 0.51 per cent, the average being 0.071 per 
cent, and Kelley 2 found in Hawaiian soils amounts varying from 
less than 0.1 to 9.74 per cent Mn 3 4 . 
A number of investigators have studied the effect of manganese 
on plants in both water and soil cultures, and from the evidence at 
hand it seems that in most cases manganese in small amounts exer- 
cises a stimulating action on growth. A general review of the liter- 
ature on the subject has been given in former papers of members of 
1 Sullivan, M. X., and Robinson, W. O. Manganese as a fertilizer. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Soils Circ 
75, 3 p. 1913. 
2 Kelley, W. P. The influence of manganese on the growth of pineapples. Hawaii Agr. Exp. Sta. 
Press Bui. 23, 14 p., n. d. 
Manganese in some of its relations to the growth of pineapples. In Jour. Indus, and Engin 
Chem., v. 1, no. 8, p. 533-538. 1909. 
. Note— The results given in this bulletin throw further light on the effect of this catalytic fertilizer under 
various soil conditions. That its effect is dependent on the reaction of the soil is demonstrated. The 
bulletin is of interest to scientific investigators, to manufacturers of catalytic fertilizers, and to those grow- 
ers whose technical training induces them to experiment with new substances to increase or control crop 
production. 
57168°— Bull. 441—16 
