Molybdenum (Mo), the last of the required micronutrients, is needed in the smallest quantities by plants. The normal range for most plant tissue is between 0.3-1.5 ppm and in the growing medium between 0.01-0.20 ppm. Molybdenum deficiency or toxicity is not very common, but its deficiency is seen more frequently in poinsettias. Like any nutrient deficiency or toxicity, it needs to be corrected before there is a negative impact on crop growth and quality.
“Molybdenum deficiency in cauliflower causes a condition called whiptail
in which the leaves have a thin, strappy appearance.”
Function of Molybdenum
Molybdenum is an essential component in two enzymes that convert nitrate into nitrite (a toxic form of nitrogen) and then into ammonia before it is used to synthesize amino acids within the plant. It also needed by symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria in legumes to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Plants also use molybdenum to convert inorganic phosphorus into organic forms in the plant.
Deficiency: As Molybdenum is closely linked to nitrogen that, its deficiency can easily resemble nitrogen deficiency. Molybdenum is the only micronutrient that is mobile within the plant so deficiency symptoms show up on older and middle leaves, but it spreads up the stem and affects the new leaves. In poinsettias, it shows up as thin chlorotic leaf margins around the leaf perimeter and then the margins become necrotic. In some crops the whole leaf turns pale and can also be followed by marginal necrosis. Leaves can be misshapen and in the case of cauliflower it can cause ‘whiptail’ in which the midrib of the leaf grows but there is severe restriction on the width of the leaf blade, making the leaves narrow. In advanced stages, plant growth and flower formation will be restricted. Crops that are most sensitive to molybdenum deficiency are crucifers (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage), legumes (beans, peas, clovers), poinsettias and primula.
“This cucurbit plant is exhibiting molybdenum deficiency on the old leaves
as overall yellowing, leaf margin necrosis and some interveinal chlorosis.”
Since molybdenum is needed to convert nitrate to ammonia within the plant, feeding with mostly nitrate fertilizer will induce a molybdenum deficiency sooner than feeding with ammoniacal fertilizer. Research has shown that high sulfates can reduce plant uptake of molybdenum. Molybdenum is the only micronutrient that becomes unavailable as the growing medium pH decreases. So if a deficiency occurs, check the pH of the growing medium. If the pH is ideal for the crop, then consider adding a molybdenum fertilizer supplement as discussed below.
Toxicity: Molybdenum toxicity is very rare and in some crops, the tissue can have several thousand ppm and still not show symptoms. In a few rare cases there has been report golden yellow appearance of the leaves. Although not significant to horticultural crops, ruminant animals that consume grasses or feeds with high levels of molybdenum (5-10 ppm in the tissue) can get a disease called molybdenosis in which excessive molybdenum competes with and induces copper deficiency within the animal.
Where to Find Molybdenum: Molybdenum typically comes from most water soluble and some controlled release fertilizers. A fertilizer program can be supplemented with molybdenum by applying a complete micronutrient fertilizer (which help avoid micronutrient imbalances) or through single element applications such as sodium molybdate or ammonium molybdate. Very little molybdenum needs to be applied to correct a deficiency.
For further information about fertilizer nutrients and their role in your crop production, please feel free to contact your Premier Tech Horticulture Grower Services representative.
For more information:
Premier Tech Horticulture Office
1, avenue Premier
Rivière-du-Loup (Québec)
Canada G5R 6C1
Tel.: +1 418 867-8883
Toll free: +1 855 867-5407
