Scientific evidence to support micronutrient management practices and recommendations for corn and soybeans in Ontario

Objectives:

• Develop an accessible knowledge base for micronutrient management in corn and soybean production.
• Support the adoption of proven micronutrient management practices in Ontario.

• Provide a foundation for evidence-based policy and guideline updates.
• Identify priority areas for future micronutrient research and innovation.

Impacts:

• Corn and soybean growers will be able to make more informed decisions about how, when and where to apply micronutrients. This will contribute to reduced uncertainty and risk associated with micronutrient management, increased yields and crop quality, reduced fertilizer cost, enhanced environment stewardship, increased productivity and profitability.
• A comprehensive, searchable database of the latest science will be developed. This will help reduce information overload for growers and other stakeholders and ensure faster access to actionable knowledge, speeding up the adoption and implementation of evidence-based best practices.
• The database will serve as a resource for scientists/researchers to identify proven management practices from other regions that could be trialed and tested in Ontario.
• Provide a foundation for evidence-based recommendations to help ensure that Ontario’s micronutrient application guidelines and recommendations are based on the best available science, leading to more effective and sustainable nutrient management across Ontario.

• By identifying knowledge gaps and emerging questions, funders and researchers will benefit from the results of the project by having a better understanding of where to allocate resources to maximize future innovations, avoiding duplication and focusing on the most promising areas for benefits to Ontario corn and soybean growers.

Scientific Summary:

Ontario’s corn and soybean growers face increasing challenges related to micronutrient management, with yield potential and soil health increasingly dependent on the availability of essential micronutrients. Newer high-yielding cultivars and varieties have higher nutrient demands, which can deplete soil micronutrient levels faster than traditional varieties. Additionally, intensive use of macronutrient fertilizers can disrupt the balance of micronutrients, leading to deficiencies that reduce crop performance. This challenge is further complicated by Ontario’s diverse soil conditions and climate, which affect the availability and uptake of micronutrients. Inconsistencies in yield responses make it difficult for growers to confidently apply micronutrient best practices. Ontario’s current guidelines and recommendations for micronutrient management need to be updated. Navigating and interpreting the vast amount of research on micronutrients over the past 10 years is beyond the capacity and resources of growers and other stakeholders.

This proposal addresses these challenges by conducting a comprehensive knowledge synthesis on micronutrient management for corn and soybean production, focusing on nine key micronutrients: boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, and zinc. Using a thematic analysis, the project will systematically review research from the past decade to identify critical soil and plant tissues levels, best management practices, diagnostic tests, and the impacts of macronutrient interactions. The project aims to develop an accessible knowledge base for micronutrient management, support the adoption of proven practices, and identify priority areas for future research and innovation. The results of the project will support Ontario’s growers in making evidence-based decisions about micronutrient management that optimize yields and maintain long-term soil health.

External Funding Partners:

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agri-Business (OMAFA)

Grain Farmers of Ontario is funded in part by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative.