Manganese Sulphate
The fix for manganese deficiency — a soluble micronutrient that clears the grey-flecked yellowing on young leaves of wheat, sugarcane and vegetables.
- Composition
- Mn ~30% (as sulphate)
- Form
- Water-soluble crystals / powder
- Price
- Moderate (small dose)
- Best for
- Manganese deficiency (young leaves)
Overview
Manganese is a micronutrient needed for photosynthesis and enzyme function. A shortage shows as interveinal yellowing on the younger and middle leaves — the veins stay green — often with tell-tale grey or brown specks and streaks (the classic "grey speck" in cereals). It is most common on high-pH, sandy, peaty and over-limed soils, where manganese is present but chemically unavailable.
Manganese sulphate (about 30% Mn) is the standard correction, applied to the soil where a test confirms deficiency or, more commonly, as a quick foliar spray. Because raising soil pH locks manganese up, over-liming is a frequent cause — so the cure is often as much about not over-liming as about adding manganese.
What it is and when to reach for it
- A micronutrient fertiliser for manganese-deficient crops — reach for it when young leaves show interveinal yellowing with grey specks, especially on high-pH or sandy soils.
- A soil test confirms it, but the grey-flecked pattern on the newer leaves is a strong clue.
- Wheat, oats, sugarcane, soybean and vegetables are among the more manganese-sensitive crops.
How to use it well
- Foliar rescue: spray 0.5% manganese sulphate (about 0.5 kg in 100 L water per acre) for a fast correction; repeat if needed.
- Soil: apply where a test confirms deficiency, but note that on high-pH soil much of a soil application gets locked up — foliar is often more reliable.
- Avoid over-liming manganese-deficient fields, since raising pH is what makes manganese unavailable in the first place.
Common mistakes
- Confusing manganese deficiency (young leaves, grey specks) with iron deficiency (youngest leaves, uniform pale) or magnesium (older leaves) and applying the wrong nutrient.
- Relying on a soil application on high-pH soil, where the manganese is quickly fixed — a foliar spray works better there.
- Over-liming, which triggers or worsens the deficiency.
Organic alternative
FYM / compost
Regular organic matter maintains background manganese and keeps it available by moderating pH; a clear deficiency still needs a manganese sulphate spray.
Crops it is used on
Open a crop for its full nutrient schedule.
Common questions
What are the symptoms of manganese deficiency?
Interveinal yellowing on the younger and middle leaves — the veins stay green — usually with grey or brown specks and streaks between the veins (the classic "grey speck"). It is most common on high-pH, sandy, peaty or over-limed soils.
How do I correct manganese deficiency?
The quickest fix is a foliar spray of 0.5% manganese sulphate (about 0.5 kg in 100 litres of water per acre), repeated if needed. On high-pH soils a soil application gets locked up, so spraying the leaves is usually more effective — and avoid over-liming, which causes the problem.
How is manganese deficiency different from iron deficiency?
Both cause interveinal yellowing on new leaves, but iron deficiency hits the very youngest leaves with a more uniform pale-to-white colour and green veins, while manganese deficiency shows on slightly older young leaves with distinctive grey or brown specks. A soil test settles which one it is.
Composition and doses follow ICAR / Soil Health Card guidance; prices are the notified subsidised rates for the season shown and are guidance, not a quote. A soil test for your field always beats a general rate. See our editorial policy.