Re: Vanadium: Nature's "Junk Food" For Plants

Ronald Nigh (danamex@mail.internet.com.mx)
Sat, 19 Jun 1999 09:57:45 -0500

Dear SANET,
The argument presented here seems a little strange. Vanadium is an
essential element, though not much is really known about its functions. It
seems to work in some N fixing systems to replace Mo, as we have commented
on this list. It is necessary in such small quantities that defciencies do
not seem to have been reported, as I recall. It seems highly unlikely that
millions of years of plant evolution would result in plants being so easily
"fooled" by an element that is so widespread. Certainly, there are levels
of V, particularly with respect to other trace elements, that could be
excessive or at least be suboptimal for plant health. I find it hard to
believe that "root cells can't tell them apart" (i.e. V and P). I think it
would be important to consider this problem in the overall context of the
mineral content and availability of the particular soil in question and the
other factors affecting P.

>MORRIS, Minn., June 16--Gardeners and farmers who are used to
>checking the
>N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) levels on their
>fertilizer bags may
>someday be checking N-P-K-V levels in their soil. That's V for vanadium.
>
>Vanadium "impersonates" phosphorus and can confuse a plant into
>eating it
>instead of phosphorus. That can cause the plant to experience a
>phenomenon
>akin to that of people who eat junk food in place of a nutritious meal,
>reports soil scientist Alan F. Olness with the USDA's
>Agricultural Research
>Service.
>(snip)
>"Phosphorus is an essential nutrient plants need for growth.
>But vanadium, a
>trace element abundant in soils throughout the world, is useless to many
>plants, including corn, soybean, tomatoes, Impatiens and petunias."
>(snip)
>During a growing season," he said, "plants may have only two
>or three time
>windows during which they can take in phosphorus. If they fill up on
>vanadium instead, they miss out on phosphorus, because their root cells
>can't tell them apart. Their growth and development--and
>yields--suffer. The
>more vanadium, the more the plant slows down and the lower the
>yield. For
>ornamentals, the slowdown could result in less beauty and hardiness."
>
Ronald Nigh
Dana, A.C.
Mexico, D.F. & San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas
Tel. y FAX 525-666-73-66 (DF)
529-678-72-15 (Chiapas)
danamex@mail.internet.com.mx

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