Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium Deficiency  Symptoms of magnesium (Mg) deficiency are among the most widely observed nutritional problems in plant production grown in sandy soils. Magnesium is a key constituent of chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants that is responsible for phytosynthesis. It is also active in enzyme systems. Soilless artificial growing media frequently used are low in Mg, requiring a fertilizer program supplying Magnesium. Many plant nutrients are readily leached from sandy soils. Susceptible Plants- potato, tomato, currant, apple, gooseberry, raspberry, rose, and chrysanthemum. Symptoms- develop first on older leaves, spreading to younger leaves later. Leaves turn yellow, or sometimes red or brown between the veins and the margins while the veins remain green. In most foliage plants, chlorosis progresses inward and downward from the upper leaf margins, leaving an inverted V-shaped green area at the leaf base and a V-shaped area at the leaf tip.
Eventually, rusty brown necrosis begins where chlorosis was first apparent. The chlorosis which develops is a bronze yellow color giving Magnesium deficiency the name "bronzing disease". Calcium in plants exists in a sensitive balance with magnesium and some other nutrients. What appears to be an excess of calcium may be the result of a lack of magnesium; whereas, an apparent excess of magnesium may respond to the addition of calcium
Causes- Magnesium deficiency is caused by acid soil. Magnesium is easily washed out of light soils by heavy rain. Overuse of high-potash fertilizers can make magnesium unavailable to plants. Other causes include drought and irregular watering,
Prevention and Control- for immediate effect foliar feed every 2 to 3 weeks with Epsom salts diluted at the rate of 8 oz per 2.5 gallons (200g for 10 liters) after flowering. Reduce the use of potash fertilizer if appropriate. Treat with dolomite limestone if pH of soil is too acidic. Do not allow soils to dry out, water at regular intervals during dry periods Test soil pH before treating the soil for magnesium deficiency. . Use McGeary Organics 5-3-4 Fertilizer Soil Perfector From Espoma Improve Soil Structure- An important but often overlooked problem is poor soil structure. Most soils today lack earthworms and microbes,which are key to building and maintaining soil structure. Earthworms
|
|
.png){kind=small}
