Magnesium in Plants:
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Magnesium is mobile within plants.
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Both an enzyme activator (PEP carboxylase and RuBP carboxylase) and a constituent of many enzymes (central element of the chlorophyll molecule)
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Activates the enzymes of respiration, photosynthesis
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Absorbed by plants in the form of divalent Mg2+.
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Involved in the synthesis of DNA and RNA.
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A constituent of the ring structure of chlorophyll
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Helps to maintain the ribosome structure
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Acts as a carrier of Phosphorus in the plant
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Associated with active nitrogen fixation in legume nodules
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Promotes the disease resistance of plants
Deficiency symptoms:
Deficiency symptoms of Magnesium are:
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Magnesium deficiency always appears first in lower/older leaves.
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Interveinal chlorosis takes place - yellowish or reddish color of leaves while veins of leaves remain green; older leaves turn yellow at edge
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Anthocyanin pigment deposition takes place after chlorosis.
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Leaf margin curls, leaf drops, stalks weakens
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Appearance of dead spots on leaves (Necrotic spots appear in acute cases)
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Common in potatoes, onion, tomatoes, beet, cauliflower, cabbage, watermelon
