Magnesium deficiency is coming to crisis point. Low magnesium content in foods has up to 50% of Australians deficient. Here’s how to correct it now.

Why a Natural Source of Magnesium Fertiliser is Vital - to Plants, and to Australia

While magnesium is just one of six vital macronutrients for crop health, the diminished magnesium levels in Australian soils is fast becoming a national health crisis. *  Like other developed countries, Australians are seeing record lows in magnesium intake, likely attributed to the lower levels of plant available magnesium in soil. Most consumers get around 75% of their daily magnesium intake from cereals.  Australia’s cereal farmers are at risk of consumer backlash if they don’t increase the magnesium content of their grains.  It’s only a matter of time.

 

Learn more about Guano Liquid Gold ® with KMS ® – the natural and nutritious way to grow.

 

Magnesium in agriculture

Magnesium in agriculture boosts enzyme activity and the structural stabilisation of tissue. Magnesium in plants is mostly considered key to assisting with the photosynthetic process, and producing the chlorophyll needed to create healthy LOOKING plants. Magnesium deficiency in soil has been linked to phenotypic and physiological changes in plant cell structure impacting vital plant secondary metabolism. ^  In short, a lack of magnesium creates weak plants vulnerable to disease and environmental factors, and poor harvest.  Most pasture farmers know the risk of low magnesium in soil through grass tetany in livestock.  Now magnesium deficiency is creeping out of the pasture and onto supermarket shelves. Your farm’s magnesium levels could be low and contributing to a potential national health crisis.

 

Magnesium deficiency in developed countries

Magnesium deficiency was first dubbed a “first world problem” after a Chinese study found that the magnesium levels in cereal seeds have declined markedly, resulting in up to two thirds of the population in developed nations consuming less magnesium than is required for healthy muscle, heart, gut and liver function. # There has not been the same level of depletion in developing countries where sustainable farming is still the first choice due to the price of synthetic chemicals.

What does that mean for grain and “greens” farmers?

The burgeoning “plant-based diet” trend isn’t just about eating less meat.  It’s a symbol of consumers becoming more aware of the nutritional values of foods.  When our client Waltanna Farms moved to sustainable farming back in the 80s, they saw that there was a shift coming to better land management and became “early adopters.”  Imagine if you’d jumped on sustainable farming back in the day – what a different market value you’d enjoy right now. Consumers are demanding more nutritious food.  More and more Australians are suffering magnesium deficiency.  The time to serve up better food is upon us.

Correcting magnesium deficiency in soil – how to get more magnesium into your soil...and how NOT TO

It’s not as simple as dumping more synthetic fertiliser into your fields and hoping for the best.  In fact, synthetic fertilisers may be a major contributing factor in Australia’s “unbalanced soils”.  Like magnesium, the delicate balance of micro and macro nutrients in soil is only maintained by creating a balance that fosters optimum chemical interactions.  Dumping excessive levels of synthetic fertiliser may wipe out any balance within the soil, and leaves farmers, and their customers, vulnerable to low-nutrition yields.

Is magnesium mobile in soil?

Unfortunately, yes.  Magnesium is highly mobile in soil and this can result in diminished levels in the soil especially after high rainfall, when young plants need it most.  In balance with the right levels of sulphur, magnesium becomes less mobile and more absorbent through both soil and leaves.  Foliar absorption can improve plant nutrition, especially early in the growing cycle. In orchards, magnesium is critical at flower set leading to fruit set, magnesium combines with boron and calcium increase fruit set vigour.  Magnesium helps maintain fruit size and fruit quality.   Magnesium does this by assisting in the metabolism of carbohydrates and in cell membrane stabilisation. 

Guano Liquid Gold ® with KMS ® boosts plant nutrition through root uptake in the soil and via easy, spray on micro particulates that cling to young leaves via our patented surfactant.  More absorption when the plant needs it means more robust plants and more nutritious products.

How to get more magnesium into your soil, the scientific way

To ensure optimum uptake of magnesium, your soil will need the right balance of micro and macro nutrients.  Have you seen a high or low number on your soil test?  While it might be tempting to simply amp up the supply of that nutrient, this may simply make things worse.  Finding balance in your soil is key to finding results in your harvest.  In three simple steps, you can rehabilitate your soil in under a year.

1. Get your soil tested 
2. Speak with an agronomist about the results (Click here for a free consultation)
3. Apply the RIGHT sustainable fertiliser to balance your soil, this season and next.

 

Magnesium rich, sustainable fertiliser could avert a health crisis

Choosing a magnesium rich fertiliser could avert a national health crisis here in Australia.  It could also help you sell better at market, with green, robust plants that boast the nutritional values that are in high demand here in Australia.  It’s win-win.  Go for Guano Liquid Gold ® with KMS ® this season.

 

Get Started. Talk to the Team Now  

 

# https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

* https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221451411500121X

^ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/plant-secondary-metabolism

^ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221451411500121X