Question

What is the importance of magnesium in plants?

Answer 1

All crops require magnesium (Mg) to help them capture the sun's energy for growth and production through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is carried out by chlorophyll, a green pigment found in plants. Magnesium is the central atom of the chlorophyll molecule, which contains 6.7 percent magnesium in each molecule.

Complete answer:
Despite the fact that magnesium (Mg) is an important component of plant growth, it receives little attention in Minnesota's fertiliser programme. For the most part, this lack of attention is justified because, with proper management, most Minnesota soils contain enough Mg to meet crop needs. Animals can get grass tetany if their Mg intake is restricted. As a result, the Mg status of feed crops is given specific attention.

The primary core of the chlorophyll molecule in plant tissue is magnesium. As a result, if Mg is low, the lack of chlorophyll causes plant growth to be poor and stunted.

Magnesium also aids in the activation of some enzyme systems. Enzymes are complex molecules that help plants produce, alter, and degrade chemicals as part of their normal metabolism.

Magnesium is found in large quantities in the earth's crust. It's found in a lot of different minerals. As these minerals weather or decompose, magnesium becomes accessible for plant use. Mg levels are naturally high in the majority of soils in western Minnesota. When needed, the addition of dolomitic limestone to the crop rotation in the acid soils of the eastern counties should provide adequate Mg for crop growth.

Magnesium is bound to clay and organic matter particles on their surfaces. Despite the fact that this exchangeable form of magnesium is available to plants, it does not readily leach from soils.

Only severely acidic soils have been found to have Mg shortages in Minnesota. The texture of these soils is commonly sandy loam, loamy sand, or sand. A magnesium deficit is unlikely to occur until the pH of the soil falls below 5.5. The acid sandy soils of Minnesota are found in the state's central and east-central regions.

Mg levels in soils can be low when potatoes are grown on acid sandy soils or when maize is planted after a potato crop. When large rates of potash are sprayed to grass pastures, grass tetany, a cattle illness caused by low levels of Mg in the diet, is occasionally seen. However, research has indicated that using Mg as part of a fertiliser programme for these pastures did not boost fodder yields. Supplementing the animal's feed with an Mg-containing salt is less expensive in these cases.

Note: Magnesium is necessary for the activation of enzymes involved in respiration, photosynthesis, and the production of nucleic acids. It helps with phosphate metabolism by transporting phosphate molecules throughout the plant. Magnesium helps carbs (sugars and starches) move across the body and boosts the creation of oils and fats.