# Foliar Application of Magnesium: Need to Knows

- Link: https://rd2.co.nz/foliar-application-of-magnesium-need-to-knows/
- Published: 2020-02-19T11:41:48+00:00
- Author: RSF Admin

It is widely known that Magnesium is fundamental to the growth of every crop and
is required at every stage of the phenological cycle. It is a vital nutrient responsible
for the process of photosynthesis, and every metabolic reaction within a plant, 
so it is essential that it is well absorbed by the plant. 

Magnesium may not have any obvious ‘positive effects’ when added to crops, apart
from leaf symptom change. But, even a small Magnesium deficiency can be detrimental
to your existing crops and production. Ensure that Magnesium is being readily applied
to your crops (via the leaf), in a manner that they are readily absorbing it. 

For foliar applications to be successful, the product must first and foremost be
100% soluble to produce immediate effects on plants.

## Why Choose Foliar Application for Magnesium? 

Foliar application is an excellent method to entice crops into absorbing nutrients
quickly, as root systems and soil chemistry are often less than perfect.

Unfortunately, growers can be quick to dismiss foliar application methods based 
on a lack of information and price alone, rather than firstly establishing its effectiveness.
Generally, foliar fed plants intake the nutrients through their stomata allowing
nutrient deficiencies to begin to correct. The time taken for the mineral nutrient
levels to correct depends further on the formulation of the product.

When the symptoms of Magnesium deficiencies are first noticed, typically Magnesium
sulfates (such as Epsom salts) are used to treat the condition. Symptoms of a Magnesium
deficiency include chlorosis of the leaves, fruit drop, or abortion.

When applied directly to the soil, the Magnesium and other micronutrients in Epsom
salt treatments commonly react with the other chemicals that exist there. This causes
the supplemental Magnesium to become insoluble in water. As plants use water to 
source their nutrient intake, once a supplement becomes insoluble in water, the 
plant no longer has the ability to absorb it, soil treatment is slow and less effective
when a quick turnaround of deficiency is required to keep crops at optimum. 

## Remember to Apply Magnesium All Year Round

Magnesium is often used as an adjunctive measure to correct symptoms of a deficiency,
rather than as a vital nutrient that crops are regularly supplemented with. A common
misconception at the end of the growing season is that Magnesium deficiency symptoms
are simply the crop nearing the end of its growing and production cycle.

This is when Magnesium deficiencies become problematic. The crop may not be performing
at optimum, which can delay ripening. Once the fruit ripens or has been picked, 
many growers forget about applying Magnesium and leave the plants, as they aren’t
actively fertilising for produce. This worsens any deficiencies, and in turn, it
can affect the following year’s crop; as Magnesium levels deplete further and as
the crop prepares for another growing year, bud initiation is affected. Bud initiation
is reliant on the plant having adequate mineral levels, meaning any existing deficiencies
are extended to affect crops during the season to follow.

It is important to provide crops with soil supplementation, and equally important
to provide efficient and effective foliar applications; this ensures that plants
photosynthesize at optimum for commercial production. If only soil amendments are
applied, the Magnesium availability will be less effective on the crop. When inferior
foliar products such as oxides, or products with low or limited solubility are applied,
there is a cost to production.

## When a product doesn’t work, it is expensive, right?

Despite having an initial lower cost, less effective products may be dearer in the
long run. They can become expensive not only to your profit margin but also to crop
health or even your own health. Some commercial products have warning labels denoting
potential side effects including: 

 * Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
 * May cause long-lasting harmful effects to aquatic life.
 * Causes serious eye damage.
 * May cause damage to the blood system through prolonged or repeated exposure.

## Glycine Chelation (Biomin Technology)

Let’s talk science … again. If you’ve reached this far I know you’re into the science
part too. So here goes…

Glycine chelation is a nutritional formulation that has come to gain popularity 
within the last decade. Providing superior results to its predecessors, including
Sulphates and EDTA chelates, Glycine chelation technology allows for the full absorption
of a nutrient by the plant. A patented process, in Glycine chelation every metal
ion is bonded with two Glycine, which is the smallest amino acid. The plant recognises
the Glycine chelated molecule as proteinaceous, causing it to distribute the formulation
rapidly and systemically to core growing points such as fruits, buds and flowers.

Glycine chelated products can be applied to the soil and by foliar application. 
Foliar application has proven to be the most effective to overcome deficiencies 
fast.  Inferior foliar-applied products may sit on the leaf rather than entering
into the plant’s system, further complicating any existing deficiencies. Those products
chelated with large synthetic molecules, have access via the stomata, however, can
often become stuck in the plant as the synthetic chelate; rendering them unable 
to be utilised or assimilated by the plant, causing the initial reason to chelate
a mineral (to remove its charge), ineffective.

Glycine is the smallest of the amino acids, creating a smaller final product when
used to chelate a metal. It can easily enter through the stomata of a plant, and
also permeate through plant parts; allowing it to move systemically via the phloem
and the xylem. The Glycine chelate itself is utilised completely by the plant.  

[Check out our Glycine Chelated BIOMIN Magnesium product here](https://rd2.co.nz/product/biomin-magnesium-glycine-chelated-mineral-fertiliser-organic-garden-range/).

For more information contact Molly at [rsf@rd2.co.nz](https://rd2.co.nz/foliar-application-of-magnesium-need-to-knows/rsf@rd2.co.nz).