Molybdenum

The fundamental role of molybdenum in plants is due to its participation in redox reactions, as it forms part of many oxidoreductases, enzyme systems essential to plant metabolism.

In this sense, its action is especially important in nitrate reductase, a key enzyme in nitrate assimilation, as it intervenes in the reduction of nitrates to nitrites.

It is part of the nitrogenase enzyme, essential in the biological fixation of nitrogen.

It is also a constituent of the enzyme xanthine dehydrogenase oxidase, responsible for the catabolism of adenine and guanine.

Finally, it may be involved in the formation of abscisic acid (ABA), as it is a structural part of the enzyme that generates it.

ABSORPTION

Molybdenum is present in the soil primarily as molybdate salt (MoO4-2) or (HMoO4 – ), and as molybdenite MoS2. It is absorbed by plants in the form of MoO4-2.

DEFICIENCIES

The plant's boron requirements are quite low, and deficiency situations are rare. However, if a deficiency occurs, since it is a mobile element, symptoms appear on the intermediate and older leaves, spreading to the stem and affecting new leaves.

Sometimes the entire leaf takes on a pale color, and necrosis may occur at the edges.

Molybdenum is related to nitrogen, so its deficiency can resemble that of this macronutrient.