NITROGEN SOURCE AND MANGANESE APPLICATION EFFECTS ON MANGANESE DYNAMICS IN THE RHIZOSPHERE OF WHEAT CULTIVARS GROWN ON MANGANESE-DEFICIENT SOILS

To study the effect of two different nitrogen (N) sources and manganese application on root-shoot relations and manganese (Mn) dynamics in the rhizosphere of two wheat cultivars, a screen house experiment was conducted using manganese-deficient soil. Significantly higher root length (RL), root surface area, shoot dry weight (SDW), root length density, and manganese uptake were recorded in calcium nitrate supplied plants of cultivar ‘WH 542’ when applied with calcium nitrate along with manganese rather than ammonium sulfate. Cultivar ‘PD W274’ produced 72% of the maximum RL and 77% of the maximum SDW under similar conditions. Results indicated that cultivar ‘WH 542’ was more manganese efficient than ‘PD W274’ and calcium nitrate was a better source of nitrogen than ammonium sulfate. However, maximum shoot manganese content was recorded in ammonium sulfate supplied plants, which was due to depletion of manganese at root surface to a lower value, causing higher concentration gradient and hence higher manganese influx to root.