X-ray Spectroscopy Fostering the Understanding of Foliar Uptake and Transport of Mn by Soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> L. Merril): Kinetics, Chemical Speciation, and Effects of Glyphosate

Abstract

Increasing the yield of soybean is a challenge to humankind dependent on several management practices, such as fertilizing and weed control. While glyphosate contributes to controlling weeds, it can interfere with spray mixture stability and, supposedly, complex with micronutrients within the plant tissue. This study investigated the effects of glyphosate on soybean foliar uptake and transport of Mn supplied as MnSO₄, MnHPO₃, Mn-ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and MnCO₃. These fertilizers induced ultrastructural changes in the leaf cuticle, regardless of the glyphosate mixture. Except for MnCO₃, all tested sources increased the Mn content in the petiole. The mixture of glyphosate impaired Mn transport from MnSO₄ and MnHPO₃, but no evidence of Mn-glyphosate complexation within the plant was found. Manganese is rather transported in a similar chemical environment regardless of the source, except for Mn-EDTA, which was absorbed and transported in its pristine form. Interferences of glyphosate seem to be related to complexations in the tank mixture rather than affecting nutrients' metabolism.