Nitrate Accumulation in Relation to Molybdenum Deficiency Leaf Scorch Symptoms

Abstract

The accumulation of nitrate in the leaf tissue of nitrate-supplied, molybdenumdeficient plants has been suspected as a cause of the scorching symptoms which frequently develop (e.g. Agarwala 1952; Agarwala and Hewitt 1952; Hewitt and McCready 1953). Quantitative studies of the relationship between nitrate content and the symptoms have, however, been inconclusive. The literature suggests (cf. Wilson and Waring 1948; Johnson, Pearson, and Stout 1952) that this may follow from the estimation of nitrate in whole leaf tissue rather than in damaged portions.