Functions and deficiency of Magnesium

1. Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS)
Prithu Technical College
Deukhuri, Dang
SSC-121 Essential Nutrients : Forms, Occurance, Functions and Deficiency Symptoms
Essential Elements: Forms, Occurance,
Functions and Deficiency Symptoms
Krishna Aryal
Asst. Professor (Soil Science)
Krish.aryal2014@gmail.com
1

2. Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS)
Prithu Technical College
Deukhuri, Dang
SSC-121 Essential Nutrients : Forms, Occurance, Functions and Deficiency Symptoms 2
Forms and occurrence
• It is absorbed in the form of the Mg2+ ion. Its conc. in plant varies from
0.1 - 0.4%.
Mg content of soil
• Mg as MgO is <1% in non-calcareous soils.
• Dolomite Mg substitute Ca in substantial quantities in certain soil.
• It exists as Mg2+ in soil solution.
• Minerals are: biotite, Augite, Montmorilonite, Hornblende, Dolomite etc.
Magnesium

3. Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS)
Prithu Technical College
Deukhuri, Dang
SSC-121 Essential Nutrients : Forms, Occurance, Functions and Deficiency Symptoms 3
Functions of magnesium in plants
• Constituent of chlorophyll located at its centre.
• Serves as a structural component of ribosomes. Mg activates the
formation of polypeptide chains to form amino acids.
• Required for phosphate transfer from ATP (Phosphorylation) in
carbohydrate metabolism.
• Activator plant enzymes which are involved in energy transfer, glycolysis,
respiration, & sulfate reduction.

4. Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS)
Prithu Technical College
Deukhuri, Dang
SSC-121 Essential Nutrients : Forms, Occurance, Functions and Deficiency Symptoms 4
• It promotes uptake and translocation of phosphorus and movement of
sugars within the plants.
• Balances high use of K+
• Neutralizes organic acids
Deficiency symptoms of magnesium
• Mobile element; readily translocated from older leaves to younger plant part
when supply is limited.
• Interveinal chlorosis
• In wheat, distinct mottling as yellowish green patches

5. Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS)
Prithu Technical College
Deukhuri, Dang
SSC-121 Essential Nutrients : Forms, Occurance, Functions and Deficiency Symptoms 5
• In alfa-alfa; leaves curl & have reddish undersides.
• Leaves of sugarbeets & potatoes become stiff can brittle, veins are
twisted.
• Lower leaves of cotton may develop reddish purple color, which gradually
turns brown and finally necrosis occurs.

6. Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS)
Prithu Technical College
Deukhuri, Dang
SSC-121 Essential Nutrients : Forms, Occurance, Functions and Deficiency Symptoms 6