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Effect of Corn, Sugarbeets, and Fallow on Zinc Availability to Subsequent Crops¹

ABSTRACT

Field observations indicated that Zn deficiency of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was sometimes more severe than expected when grown on fallowed soil that was low to marginal in available Zn. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of fallow, sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris L.), and corn (Zea mays L.) on Zn availability to subsequent crops grown on a Portneuf silt loam (Durixerollic Calciorthids, coarse silty, mixed, mesic). The sugarbeet and corn plant tops and sugarbeet roots were removed, and 11.2 kg Zn ha^–1 was applied on one-half of each plot before fall plowing 25-cm deep. Beans, sweet corn, or potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) were planted the following spring. Whole plant samples of beans and sweet corn and potato stems, leaflets, and petioles were sampled for chemical analyses during the growing season. All bean plants were Zn deficient when grown after fallow or sugarbeets but not after corn or where Zn fertilized. Potatoes and sweet corn did not show any Zn deficiency symptoms or any growth responses to Zn fertilization. The average zinc concentration in beans (vegetative development stage, V3) following corn was 20.5 mg kg^–1 compared with 12.5 mg kg^–1 following fallow or sugarbeets without Zn fertilization. The average Zn uptake by beans (V3) following corn was 1.3 g ha^–1 compared with 0.6 g ha^–1 after fallow or sugarbeets without Zn fertilization. The Zn uptake after corn was even greater than where 11.2 kg Zn ha^–1 was applied to fallow or sugarbeets (1.3 vs. 0.9 g Zn ha^–1). Enhanced Zn availability following corn persisted throughout the growing season and into a second bean crop, although at a decreased level. Similar trends occurred with potatoes and sweet corn. Soil DTPA-extractable Zn was not significantly different after fallow, sugarbeets, or corn. These results indicate that Zn deficiency in sensitive crops may be alleviated or prevented depending upon the preceding crop grown, and that factors not measured by DTPA can significantly influence Zn availability.

¹ Contribution from the Snake River Conservation Research Center, USDA-ARS, Kimberly, ID 83341.

² Soil Scientists, Snake River Conservation Research Center, USDA-ARS, Kimberly, ID 83341.

Received for publication February 12, 1985.