Molybdenum deficiency in maize in relation to seed reserves

Abstract

Symptoms observed in maize seedlings growing in the field in the Taree district were reproduced in glasshouse trials. The condition was prevented by applying sodium molybdate to the soil. Grain from certain growers of certified hybrid maize seed produced seedlings susceptible to the deficiency whereas grain from other growers produced seedlings which showed no symptoms. The differences in susceptibility were found to be related to the molybdenum content of the grain which varied from more than 0.40 p.p.m. to less than 0.01 p.p.m. No case of symptoms was observed in seedlings where grain contained more than 0.08 p.p.m. Severe symptoms occurred where grain molybdenum was less than 0.02 p.p.m. Molybdenum applications to female parent rows in seed crops raised the molybdenum content of grain, and prevented or reduced the incidence of symptoms in seedlings grown from this grain.