The Gazette

Consideration to Molybdenum

Molybdenum (Mo) is an important micro (trace) mineral in plant production.

It’s availability to plants is affected by the amount in the soil profile as well as soil pH.

Acid soils, generally below pH 5.5 can limit the availability of Mo.

In legumes such as clovers and lucerne Mo serves two functions. Firstly, plants need Mo to process any nitrates taken up from the soil (similar to the same way as non-legumes use Mo).

Secondly, Mo helps processes by root nodule bacteria (rhizobia) to fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Legumes need more molybdenum to fix nitrogen than to utilise nitrates.

Where a trace element deficiency/toxicity is suspected, tissue tests, also known as plant tissue analysis, should be considered before application of trace elements.

Plant tissue testing is the preferred method for diagnosing trace element status of a pasture.

Molybdenum is recommended on acid soils in north east Victoria, Gippsland and parts of central and western Victoria, and is typically supplied with the fertiliser every five to six years.

If you haven’t applied Mo in the past few years and suspect low levels may be limiting production, ask your agronomist if there are indications that Mo may be limiting legume production specifically and pasture production generally in your area.

FARM SCENE

en-au

2015-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2015-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://wdgazette.pressreader.com/article/284000420885717

Warragul Regional Newspapers