Micronutrients for soybean production in the North Central region
This multi-state (IA, MN, KS, WI, IN/PU) Extension bulletin reviews soybean micronutrient management. Micronutrient deficiencies in the region are uncommon except for iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn); soil/tissue test interpretations are poorly calibrated due to infrequent responses. Boron (B): deficiency rare, no documented regional yield increases from B fertilization, and soybean is very sensitive to B toxicity (yield decreases reported in MN); avoid in-furrow/seed placement. Copper (Cu): soybean among least Cu-sensitive crops; 42 Iowa and 10 Kansas trials found no yield increase, one Iowa site showed a yield decrease from Cu application. Chlorine (Cl): deficiencies rare; IA, MN (20 lb Cl/acre), and KS (5-20 lb Cl/acre) trials found no soybean yield response (IA trial did boost corn yield). Iron: causes IDC, a major yield-limiting issue in the western Corn Belt tied to high pH/carbonate soils; broadcast Fe and DTPA/EDTA chelates gave inconsistent results, but seed/in-furrow ortho-ortho-EDDHA chelate consistently reduced IDC and increased yield; IDC-tolerant varieties and oat companion crops (reducing soil nitrate) also help. Manganese: deficiency tied to calcareous/organic soils, common in parts of IN, MI, OH, WI; foliar or planter-banded Mn (0.2-0.5 lb/acre chelate or 1-1.25 lb/acre sulfate) is most effective since broadcast Mn becomes unavailable; banded-plus-foliar combinations maximize response; recent large-scale IA/KS/MN trials (99+ sites) found essentially no yield response even where soil tests predicted deficiency, though one sandy-soil site responded to Mn. Foliar Mn can antagonize glyphosate. Molybdenum: linked to N fixation; deficiency corrected via liming rather than direct Mo fertilization. Zinc: soybean much less Zn-sensitive than corn; regional trials found no yield increase from Zn even on soils where corn would respond. Overall message: confirmed micronutrient responses in soybean are rare regionally, and current soil/tissue test thresholds often over-predict deficiency.
soybean; micronutrients; North Central Region; soil testing; tissue testing; extension publication

