How important is magnesium during the crop cycle?

With the growing demand for food around the world, agribusiness companies and rural producers have been looking for ways to achieve high productivity in crops. Among the various resources used, precision nutrition is an effective and sustainable measure, especially because it benefits plants and the soil.

According to agricultural engineer Gabrielle Masson, one of the most important nutrients to ensure good results in productivity is magnesium. “This macronutrient is essential for the transport of compounds generated from photosynthesis in plants, in addition to the assimilation of CO2 and the production of proteins, sugars and starch.”

The specialist, Market Development Technician at BRANDT do Brasil, explains that magnesium is also important in activating enzymes in the photorespiratory process of plants, which benefits their growth.

“A good supply of magnesium is also essential to prepare the plant for environmental stress events, such as sudden changes in climate and soil. Furthermore, it is important for mitigating the toxicity of aluminum in the soil and has synergy with other nutrients, acting as a carrier of phosphorus and improving the efficiency of nitrogen assimilation”, comments the expert.

Lack of magnesium and soil amendment

Some factors interfere with the availability of magnesium to plants, such as the pH of the soil solution, clay content in the soil and the balance of other nutrients, which are essential for plant development. To identify a magnesium deficiency, it is necessary to observe symptoms such as chlorosis (yellowing) in the veins of older leaves.

The main way to provide magnesium to plants is to apply limestone with a higher nutrient content (Dolomitic) to the soil. However, much research has shown the importance of supplying this nutrient throughout the crop cycle, which may require nutrient supplementation in other phases of cultivation. According to Gabrielle, “when applied to the leaves, magnesium improves the plant's photosynthetic processes, which is essential during the period of fruit and grain formation”.

Other articles about magnesium

See below some links to articles on this site that mention magnesium...

• Soil correction with liming;

• Rational fertilization: from concepts to practice;

• Challenging fungi;

• Rice blast management;

• Silicon and pest management.