QUICK FACTS
- We owe the beauty of greenery in nature to Magnesium. It is a seat of photosynthesis and plant’s yield production factory. Total photosynthetic machinery would collapse without optimum supply of Magnesium.
- In plants, Magnesium is relatively mobile.
- Too much amount of Nitrogen or Potassium fertilizer can reduce the uptake of Magnesium and sometimes may lead to Mg deficiency.
- Excess of Magnesium leads to reduced uptake of Phosphorus
- Its deficiency is noticed in coarse textured acidic soils, in high rainfall areas or soils with high Calcium/Potassium content.
- Frequently Magnesium and Potassium deficiencies occur together.
- Over the past few years the Plant Breeders are effortlessly trying to release improved and high yielding crop varieties. They need balanced supply of all the elements and of course Magnesium – for increased rate of photosynthesis finally ending in higher yields.
FUNCTIONS
- Magnesium is a key constituent in chlorophyll – the green pigment in plants that traps energy from the sun and makes life possible on the earth. Without the process of photosynthesis there would be no growth and no harvest of the plant.
- Only part of Magnesium is used in photosynthesis and its greater part is involved in the formation of carbohydrates, proteins, oils and vitamins.
- It is a component of chromosomes and ribosomes, hence take part in protein synthesis.
- It plays a crucial role in Phosphate metabolism, plant respiration and activates various enzymes.
- By exerting a positive influence on the strength of cell walls and permeability of membranes, helps in cell division.
- Magnesium may increase resistance to drought and diseases.
- Its deficiency in plant hinders the Nitrogen fixation activity by root nodule bacteria.
- It is important in the production of ATP through its role as an enzyme cofactor.
- It increases Iron utilization in plants.
- It helps in early and uniform maturity of the end produce.
GENERAL DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
- Pale yellow colour starts developing in between the veins, which later turn chlorotic. In Banana the symptoms start appearing from the mid-rib. The veins remain green in colour.
- Upward curling of leaves, brittle leaves.
