If a plant is lacking magnesium what happens to the plant?

Question

If a plant is lacking magnesium what happens to the plant?

Answer 1

Leaves will turn yellow . This is because Magnesium(Mg) is the integral part of Chlorophyll molecules . There are several sub types of that photosynthetic molecule( See the details below ).

In the absence of Mg. Chlorophyll will not be produced .

Mg is required in traces BUT it IS required and it IS Vital for chlorophyll.

1) Chlorophyll a ==C55   H72  O5  N4 Mg

2 ) Chlorophyll b ==C55   H70  O6   N4  Mg

3 ) Chlorophyll c1==C35  H30   O5   N4   Mg

4 ) Chlorophyll c2==C35   H28  O5    N4   Mg

5 ) Chlorophyll d  ==C54   H70  O6   N4    Mg

Plants deficient in Magnesium show stress responses.

The first observable signs of both magnesium starvation and overexposure in plants is a decrease in the rate of photosynthesis.

((((This is due to the central position of the Mg++ ion in the chlorophyll molecule. ))))

Click on the link below to see how a single atom of Mg is centrally located in a chlorophyll molecule ===

http://www.championtrees.org/yarrow/imag...

http://www.uky.edu/~dhild/biochem/24/fig...

The later effects of magnesium deficiency on plants are a significant reduction in growth and reproductive viability.

From= Botanist