MAGNESIUM-PHOSPHORUS RELATIONSHIPS IN PLANT NUTRITION

Abstract

The relation of the supply of available Mg to the P content of peas (seed) was investigated by means of field and nutrient culture tests in which the supplies of available Mg and P were varied. Chemical analysis of the pea seeds revealed an appreciable and consistent increase in P content with increasing supplies of available Mg. In fact, increasing supplies of available Mg increased the P content of the peas much more than did increasing supplies of available P. The results support the theory that Mg functions as a carrier of P, and indicate the need of giving increased attention to the supplies of available Mg in soils in order that the P present may be used effectively and crops of the highest nutritive value produced.