Studies on Magnesium and Phosphorus Distribution in Tomato Plants Under Differing Nutrient Deficiency Conditions

Abstract

Aims of the Experiments In many instances it has been recorded that approximately one-tenth of the total magnesium in a green leaf is bound in the chlorophyll molecule. Chlorosis may be caused by deficiencies of various nutrient elements, for example, iron and manganese, as well as magnesium. If a plant suffers from chlorosis yet has an adequate supply of magnesium, where is the magnesium that would be bound in the chlorophyll in a normal green leaf? One aim of the experiments was to investigate this problem. To study the distribution of the magnesium associated with various classes of compounds in plant tissue, it was necessary to find a suitable extraction technique. The first trial experiment showed that the methods already in existence, because of the extractants used, did not give a sufficient degree of chemical fractionation. Thus, there was another aim of devising a better fractionation technique. It was hoped that, even if the first aim of the experiments could not be realised, it would be possible to show some changes in the distribution pattern of magnesium with differing nutrient treatments.