Molybdenum Deficiency Inhibits Nitrogen Fixation by Legumes

Abstract

Molybdenum is required by N-fixing soil rhizobia, but it may be deficient in acidic tropical soils. An experiment with soybeans on an Oxisol showed that while added N could compensate for Mo deficiency in the soil, growth without added N was poor. When Mo fertilizer was added in the absence of N fertilizer, effective nodulation of the legume was able to provide N to the plant and resulted in superior growth.