Effect of Manganese Source on Manganese Uptake by Pygmy Date Palms
in HortSciencePygmy date palms (Phoenix roebelenii `O'Brien') growing in a pine bark-Canadian peat-sand container medium and in a sandy field soil were fertilized with one of five commercially available Mn sources. Fertilization with Mn sulfate plus ammonium sulfate consistently increased Mn uptake above that of control palms. Four soluble Mn sources were applied to the foliage of container-grown palms, but only Mu sulfate consistently increased Mn concentrations in the leaves. Addition of urea, calcium hydroxide, or dimethylsulfozide did not improve Mn uptake from foliar sprays, and foliar sprays and soil applications were equally rapid in their effects on leaf Mn concentration.
