Magnesium Deficiency in Plants
Just like for people, plants need a balanced diet to be healthy. An imbalance can lead to deficiencies, which can hinder development and reduce the output of the crop. One of the most important nutrients in a plants’ diet is magnesium. Magnesium plays a vital role in plant development, contributing to essential processes like the production of chlorophyll. Therefore, it’s vital to understand the benefits of providing a healthy magnesium diet to your plants, how to properly introduce it, and how to detect a deficiency.
Plant Nutrition
When it comes to plant nutrition, you have three main nutrients:
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Next are secondary macronutrients, these are:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Sulphur
Finally, are trace elements:
- Copper
- Zinc
- Iron
- Boron
- Chlorine
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Nickel
All these nutrients must be balanced in the correct proportions for the plant to be healthy. Depending on the fertility of the soil, and plant feeding needs, some or all the nutrition is in the media. Only heavier feeding plants, or low fertile soils need fertilisation. When growing hydroponically these nutrients must be supplied by the grower as the growing media provides none.
Benefits of providing a healthy magnesium diet to your plants
Providing your plants with a healthy magnesium diet offers multiple benefits. This is because magnesium is an essential mineral for plant growth and development. Some advantages of offering your plants an ideal magnesium supply include:
- Production of Chlorophyll: Magnesium is one of the main components of chlorophyll (the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis). Adequate magnesium levels in your plants translate to efficient photosynthesis, better energy production and growth, higher carbohydrate production, and improved plant vigour.
- Intake of Nutrients: Magnesium has a role to play in the activation of some of the enzymes involved in nutrient uptake and utilisation. It refines the plant’s ability to absorb other essential nutrients (NPK).
- Synthesis of Proteins: A balanced magnesium diet offers enhanced synthesis of proteins in plants. Proteins are essential for multiple cellular processes and are the foundations for plant structures, enzymes, and hormones.
- Cell Growth and Division: Magnesium is necessary for proper cell division and growth, enabling plants to develop strong and healthy.
- Stress Resistance: An ideal magnesium supply also plays a role in reinforcing plant cell walls. This makes them more resilient to environmental issues, such as extreme temperatures, drought, and diseases.
- Higher Fruit Quality: Magnesium is linked to the synthesis of sugars and the accumulation of other important compounds in fruits. In other words, if you give your plants enough magnesium, you’ll enhance the taste and quality of your fruits!
- Disease Resistance: Good magnesium levels also mean a healthier immune system within the plants, making them more resistant to pathogens and strains.
How to spot magnesium deficiency in your plants
Magnesium deficiency in plants occurs when there is an insufficient supply of magnesium in the soil, or when the plant is having intake difficulties. As mentioned previously, magnesium is vital for proper plant growth and development. Its deficiency can have a multitude of negative effects on plants.
Most of these are quite noticeable, with chlorosis being the most apparent. Chlorosis is the appearance of yellowing between the veins of older leaves. It usually starts on the lower leaves but can quickly reach the younger ones if left untreated. This means that the sooner you can visibly determine that the plant is suffering from chlorosis, the sooner you should treat it.
Other noticeable symptoms include curling of the leaves, reduced growth & fruit production, and at extremes, necrosis. Because magnesium is vital for the activation of enzymes and synthesis of proteins, its deficiency can lead to tissue death.
Prevent and solve magnesium deficiency with Plant Magic
Noticing magnesium deficiency symptoms in your plants? Plant Magic has your back. Plant Magic’s Magne-Cal+ offers the ultimate solution to prevent and solve magnesium deficiency in your plants. Magne-Cal+ regulates nutrient transport and strengthens cells, supporting photosynthesis and enzyme processes. It contains trace elements of nitrogen, iron, zinc, and molybdenum. This helps plants increase nutrient uptake (and increases the effectiveness of your PK booster!). It also offers ample calcium and magnesium for healthy growth and treating magnesium deficiencies.
Another product in Plant Magic’s line that pairs perfectly with Magne-Cal+ is Plant Magic’s PK 13/14. Plant Magic PK 13/14 is an excellent all round PK boost to increase the size and weight of crops. It also prevents nutrient lockout due to its added magnesium and sulphur. All while increasing amino acids and oils for a better-looking crop and a refined taste!
