Manganese foliar supplementation impacts rice yield in tropical lowlands.

The aim of this work was to evaluate manganese (Mn) sources and levels effects in irrigated rice production in central Brasil (tropical lowlands of Tocantins state). The experiment was conducted in a 5x5 + 1 factorial scheme, five Mn sources and five levels (0.5; 1.0; 1.5; 2.0; and 2.5 kg ha−1), applied in induction of tillering of rice plants, plus a control without treatment, and Mn content in leaves (mg kg−1), number of panicles per area (m2), hundred grains weight (g), intact grains (%), and grain yield (kg ha−1) were analyzed. Treatments with Mn-carbonate source got the best results and this source at the level of 1.5 kg ha−1 provided the highest yield: 7,375 kg ha−1. Higher values were obtained with the application of 1.0 to 1.5 kg ha−1 of Mn, except for the intact grains where the best means were obtained at 2.5 kg ha−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]