The Effects of Magnesium
I myself had not realized just how important magnesium (Mg) is, not only for crop production but also for human health. First, Mg, together with ATP, is involved in the translocation of sugars. As a result, it contributes to root development during the early stages of growth and to the enlargement of fruits and other harvestable organs during the harvest period. Moreover, a research group led by Dr. Jianfeng Ma has demonstrated that the system for recycling magnesium from senescent leaves becomes highly active.
The fact that magnesium is also effective in preventing human diseases was clarified by the Professor Jun Kobayashi, who showed that regions where people drink water rich in magnesium—the main component of hard water—have lower mortality rates from stroke (1971). Furthermore, Tateho Chemical Industries in Hyogo Prefecture, noting the low incidence of cancer among workers at the Ako salt fields, asked Dr. Takuji Tanaka, then a professor at Gifu University and a renowned cancer researcher, to conduct experiments on the effect of magnesium administration on cancer development in rats. In 1989, he demonstrated that magnesium supplementation reduced cancer incidence. Test data showing a suppressive effect on colorectal cancer, using a magnesium formulation produced by Tateho Chemical and made more palatable by the addition of citric acid and malic acid, were also provided to this journal by Dr. Tanaka through Mr. Tetsuya Izumiura of Tateho Chemical. This book introduces magnesium, in addition to NPK, as an extremely important mineral.
Key Points on the Importance of Iron
In this section, three important points concerning iron are discussed.
First is the remarkable presentation given by Mr. Koiwai, a well-known figure in organic agriculture, at a United Nations conference aimed at eliminating hunger and poverty. He was recommended by the Republic of Zambia in Africa and delivered an outstanding lecture, for which he received the Grand Prix Award. His method can be implemented by anyone cultivating upland fields converted from paddy fields. It is a technology that applies to upland farming the techniques of Japanese rice cultivation, which allow delicious rice to be harvested every year without continuous-cropping problems.
Second is the news that theresearch group led by Professor Satoshi Mori and Professor Naoko Nakanishi at the University of Tokyo succeeded in identifying the transporter responsible for the uptake of mugineic acid, a long-cherished goal. This is an important achievement that everyone involved in Japanese agriculture should know. As the term “mugineic acid” suggests, it was first discovered in 1976 by Professor Seiichi Takagi of Iwate University. Professors Mori and Nishizawa of the University of Tokyo later advanced and deepened this research using modern biochemical approaches. Their respect and courtesy toward Professor Takagi are described in detail in the publications Excavating Mugineic Acid (NPO WINEP, 2009) and The Trajectory of Mugineic Acid Research (NPO WINEP, 2014).
Third, crops other than rice are almost always in a state of iron deficiency. To address this, Dr. Tetsuya Nonaka, formerly of the Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto University, developed a method for growing iron-mineral-enriched vegetables. However, in my view, the method is still one step short of completion. What has been lacking is the measurement of iron concentration in the foliar spray solutions prepared for application. If iron levels were properly measured, I believe this technique could be widely disseminated as a practical technology for many farmers.
Although the text may be somewhat difficult to read, these three points are explained in detail. Please organize these three key ideas in your mind before reading.
Related Posts to New Common Knowledge About Nutrients
Health Benefits of Nitrate Ions／Correcting Zinc Deficiency
Boron Is Essential for Both Plants and Animals / Silicic Acid Is a Valuable Substance
