Fertilizer · Fertilizer

Manganese sulfate

Also known as: Manganese sulphate, MnSO₄

Manganese sulfate is the most widely used manganese fertilizer, a soluble salt supplying manganese and sulfur, applied especially as a foliar spray to correct manganese deficiency on high-pH and organic soils where soil-applied manganese is quickly made unavailable.

Dated referenceLast reviewed: 2026-07-13Updated: 2026-07-13

Illustrative diagram · AgricultureID (original)

Manganese sulfate is a soluble manganese salt, commonly the monohydrate at around 32% manganese, used to correct manganese deficiency. It supplies both manganese and sulfate-sulfur and dissolves readily for soil or foliar application.

A key practical point is that manganese applied to soil is rapidly oxidised to less available forms, especially on high-pH, calcareous, and organic soils. For this reason foliar sprays are often the more reliable route for correcting manganese deficiency in the field.

Composition and analysis

Manganese sulfate is a hydrated manganese salt, supplied mainly as the monohydrate at around 32% manganese. It is fully water-soluble and delivers manganese together with sulfate-sulfur, which makes it convenient for both spray solutions and dry blends.

Chemical formula: MnSO₄ (commonly the monohydrate)
Manganese content: About 32% in the monohydrate
Sulfur content: Supplied alongside manganese as sulfate
Solubility: Fully water-soluble

Nutrients supplied and behaviour in soil

Manganese sulfate supplies manganese, a micronutrient involved in photosynthesis and enzyme systems, along with sulfate-sulfur. In soil, manganese availability is strongly controlled by pH: at higher pH it is oxidised to poorly available forms, so deficiency is common on limed, calcareous, and high-organic-matter soils.

Manganese availability drops sharply as soil pH rises
Soil-applied manganese is rapidly oxidised to less available forms
Sulfate-sulfur is supplied alongside the manganese

Use and management

Manganese sulfate is used to correct manganese deficiency in crops such as cereals, soybean, and other legumes, often by foliar spray because soil applications are quickly fixed on the high-pH soils where deficiency is most common. Repeat sprays are sometimes needed within a season.

Foliar sprays are often more reliable than soil applications
Banded soil placement can reduce fixation compared with broadcasting
Responsive crops include cereals and legumes on high-pH soils

Limitations

Because soil-applied manganese is rapidly made unavailable on the soils where it is most often deficient, soil correction can be inefficient and short-lived, and foliar treatment may need repeating. As with other micronutrients, manganese is required only in small amounts and excess can be harmful.

Relationships

Evidence-backed connections in the knowledge graph.

Supplies nutrients

Applied to crops

Scope & limitations

Geographic scope: Global overview of manganese sulfate as the leading manganese fertilizer. Manganese deficiency is most common on high-pH, calcareous, and organic soils.

Climate context: Manganese availability is governed largely by soil pH rather than climate; deficiency is concentrated on limed, calcareous, and peaty soils.

This entry describes composition and general behaviour; it is not an application rate recommendation for any crop or region.
Soil-applied manganese is rapidly fixed on high-pH soils, so correction can be inefficient and short-lived.
Manganese requirements are small and over-application can be harmful.

Sources

This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.

[1]IFA — International Fertilizer Association (opens in a new tab)
International Fertilizer Association (IFA)
Moderate
Cited for: Manganese fertilizer sources and composition
Type:
Standards body
Jurisdiction:
Global
Accessed:
2026-07-12
[2]FAO — Food and Agriculture Organization (opens in a new tab)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Authoritative
Cited for: Micronutrient deficiency and correction
Type:
Intergovernmental organization
Jurisdiction:
Global
Accessed:
2026-07-12
[3]USDA NRCS — Natural Resources Conservation Service (opens in a new tab)
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Authoritative
Cited for: Manganese availability and soil pH interactions
Type:
Government agency
Jurisdiction:
United States
Accessed:
2026-07-12
[4]AHDB — Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (opens in a new tab)
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)
High
Cited for: Manganese deficiency management context
Type:
Government agency
Jurisdiction:
United Kingdom
Accessed:
2026-07-12