The Effect of Molybdenum on the Organic and Inorganic Phosphorus of Plants

Abstract

Molybdenum, applied 2 days before harvest, had a marked effect on the phosphorus metabolism of molybdenum-de£cient tomato plants grown in waterculture solutions. The molybdenum increased the concentration of organic phosphorus, with a corresponding decrease in the concentration of inorganic phosphorus. Molybdenum increased the yield of dry matter, the absolute amount of phosphorus, and the absolute amount of organic phosphorus; but did not increase the absolute amount of inorganic phosphorus. The concentration of total phosphorus did not change.