Magnesium Deficiency: New Study Provides Knowledge on Plant Uptake to Photosynthesis and Chloroplasts Function

Magnesium is an essential mineral for plant growth and health, but it is often overlooked or neglected by gardeners and farmers.

Magnesium deficiency can cause serious problems for plants, such as reduced photosynthesis, chlorosis, necrosis, stunted growth, and lower yields.

What causes magnesium deficiency in plants?

(Photo : ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

Magnesium is a secondary macronutrient, meaning that plants need it in smaller amounts than nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

However, magnesium is still vital for many plant functions, especially photosynthesis.

Magnesium is the central atom of chlorophyll, the green pigment that allows plants to capture light energy and convert it into sugars.

Without enough magnesium, plants cannot produce enough chlorophyll, and their leaves turn yellow or pale.

Magnesium deficiency can occur due to several factors, such as:

Soil pH:

Magnesium is most available to plants when the soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0. If the soil is too acidic or too alkaline, magnesium becomes less soluble and less accessible to plant roots.

Soil type:

It can be easily leached out of sandy or light soils by heavy rainfall or irrigation and can also be bound by clay or organic matter in the soil, making it unavailable to plants.

Soil fertility:

Magnesium can be competed out by other nutrients in the soil, especially potassium and calcium. If the soil has high levels of these nutrients, plants may absorb them instead of magnesium, leading to a deficiency.

Plant stress:

Magnesium deficiency can be aggravated by environmental stress factors, such as drought, heat, cold, salinity, pests, diseases, or herbicides. These factors can reduce the uptake or translocation of magnesium within the plant.

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How to identify and treat magnesium deficiency in plants?

Magnesium deficiency can affect many different plant species, but some are more susceptible than others.

For example, tomatoes, potatoes, apples, cherries, grape vines, camellias, and rhododendrons are prone to magnesium deficiency.

The symptoms of magnesium deficiency vary depending on the plant type and severity of the condition, but some common signs are:

Interveinal chlorosis:

This is the most characteristic symptom of magnesium deficiency. It refers to the yellowing of the leaf tissue between the veins, while the veins remain green. This usually starts from the lower or older leaves and progresses upwards or towards the younger leaves.

Necrosis:

This is the death of plant tissue due to a lack of nutrients or oxygen. In severe cases of magnesium deficiency, the chlorotic leaves may develop brown or red spots or margins that eventually dry up and fall off.

Stunted growth:

This is the result of reduced photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism due to magnesium deficiency. Plants may have smaller leaves, shorter stems, fewer branches, fewer flowers, and lower fruit quality or quantity.

How to prevent magnesium deficiency in plants?

Magnesium deficiency can be prevented by following some good practices for soil management and plant care:

Test your soil:

This will help you determine the soil pH and nutrient levels before planting or fertilizing your crops. You can use a soil test kit or send a soil sample to a laboratory for analysis. Based on the results, you can adjust the soil pH and nutrient levels accordingly.

Mulch your soil:

This will help you conserve soil moisture, prevent nutrient leaching, and add organic matter to the soil. You can use organic materials such as compost, straw, leaves, grass clippings, or wood chips as mulch. Apply a two- to four-inch layer of mulch around your plants and replenish it as needed.

Rotate your crops:

This will help you avoid nutrient depletion and pest or disease buildup in the soil. You can rotate your crops according to their nutrient needs and family groups.

For example, you can plant legumes (such as beans or peas) after heavy feeders (such as tomatoes or corn) to replenish nitrogen in the soil.

You can also avoid planting crops from the same family (such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, or eggplants) in the same spot for more than two years.

Water your plants:

This will help you maintain adequate soil moisture and nutrient availability for your plants. You can water your plants deeply and infrequently, rather than shallowly and frequently, to encourage deep root growth and prevent water stress. You can also use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to the plant roots and reduce evaporation or runoff.

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