Without photosynthesis, plant life wouldn’t exist. And without magnesium (Mg), there would be no photosynthesis. Plants couldn’t produce our food, and hunger would become our No. 1 concern.

Often the “forgotten nutrient,” Mg is one of the essential 17 nutrients needed for plant growth. It’s a vital team player working with other nutrients and is critical for top-profit crop production.

Contributions to plant growth

As the central ion in the chlorophyll molecule, Mg is essential for photosynthesis. It works with phosphorus (P) to transfer energy needed within the plant for growth, and it works with other nutrients to build high-quality protein. Seed formation also requires both Mg and P.

Crop and soil needs for Mg are science based

Soil tests are the most reliable way to determine Mg availability from soil reserves. When conducting your soil test, ensure you check for Mg in addition to pH, P and K levels. Remember, crop response to fertilizer Mg occurs most often on acidic, low CEC soils that are also low in organic matter and soil test Mg.

Increasing yields will require higher Mg levels

Higher yields will require more nutrients to meet increasing plant needs. For example, raising a healthy, high-yielding cotton crop calls for a precise nutrient management plan that provides the right nutrients, at the correct rates at exactly the right time.

Also, increasing rates of applied K fertilizers can induce a short-term Mg deficiency because of competition with K for exchange sites in the soil. Application of soluble Mg helps to prevent this from occurring.

Higher crop yield and quality

Magnesium’s contributions to yield and quality are both crop and site specific. Contributions to crop quality are seldom visible since it works behind the scenes regulating enzyme systems, producing sugars or helping with other vital crop activities. University specialists in the Southeast United States indicate that a shortage of Mg is most likely for high-yield crops growing on acidic, sandy soils of the Coastal Plains.

Time-proven source of Mg

Crop advisers often address the need for Mg by incorporating potassium magnesium sulfate (K-Mag®) into a balanced fertilization program. Also known as langbeinite, K-Mag is sourced from ore beds deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Langbeinite’s solubility properties ensure the nutrients are nearly 100 percent water soluble, and the Mg, K and S it provides are immediately available to crops.

LEGAL: ©2018 The Mosaic Company. All rights reserved. K-Mag is a registered trademark of The Mosaic Company.