INFLUENCE OF PHOSPHORUS ON MOLYBDENUM CONTENT OF BRUSSELS SPROUTS UNDER FIELD AND GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS AND ON RECOVERY OF ADDED MOLYBDENUM IN SOIL

Abstract

Experiments were conducted in the field and greenhouse to investigate the influence of P on the growth and Mo content of Brussels sprouts. Increasing the rate of superphosphate increased yield and P content, but depressed Mo content. The reduced Mo content could be attributed to both P and S rather than to P alone. In the greenhouse, application of Mo, either with the seeds or to the soil, increased yield and Mo content. Plants grown under moist conditions were larger and contained more Mo than those grown under drier conditions. Phosphorus content was not affected by the moisture levels.Phosphorus applications did not affect the quantity of exchangeable Mo in the soil. There was no difference in the amount of Mo recovered over an incubation period of 0 to 12 weeks.