Role of Molybdenum in Onion Production
Molybdenum is an important component of nitrate reductase and thus involved in nitrogen metabolism as well as the synthesis of pigments and chlorophyll.
Molybdenum effect at growth stages
| Stage | Molybdenum effect |
| Vegetative Growth | Ensure photosynthetic growth is not limiting |
| Bulb Formation | To maintain leaf growth |
| Bulb Fill | Less critical, but to maintain growth and prolong bulking |
See more on Onion Growth Stages.
General Guidelines for Molybdenum Application
As all other micronutrients, molybdenum plays a role in seedling and leaf growth. Without good leaf productivity, growth slows and yield suffers.
Molybdenum Deficiencies in Onion
Deficiency in new crops results in poor crop emergence and seedling death. In established crops, lack of molybdenum leads to leaf tip dieback with wilted tissue between the necrotic and healthy areas. Problems are most common on acidic or sandy soils with low organic matters.
