Maize (Zea maysL.) inbreds were grown on soils known to produce Fe, Zn, Mg, Ca, and Cu deficiency and Al and Mn toxicity. The inbreds were assessed for their differential responses to the elemental problem induced by each soil. Marked differences in susceptibility and/or tolerance to limited or excess amounts of mineral nutrients were noted among the inbreds. Information on differential responses of plants to the various mineral elements should be beneficial for overcoming particular element problems and for developing plants which utilize mineral elements more efficiently.