Molybdenum as an Essential Element for Crops: An Overview

Abstract

Background: Molybdenum for plant growth is essential micronutrient wherever in enzyme catalysis it is required as catalytically active metal. Functional roles are fulfilled by molybdenum in enzyme systems in plants. Enzymes more than 50 Mo-containing are recognized, maximum of them are of bacterial origin, while a few Mo-enzymes are seen amongst eukaryotes. Five Mo-enzymes in plants, to this end are identified: AO, NR, SO, mARC and XDH which catalyze vital significant reactions in degradation of purine, synthesis of phytohormone, nitrogen assimilation and detoxification of sulfite.