How long does magnesium deficiency take to correct?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Restoring plant magnesium deficiency takes varying amounts of time depending on the method of intervention. Foliar sprays will yield visible improvements within a few days, while applying material to the soil will take several weeks. If you want to see the magnesium completely balanced and plant recovery back to where it needs to be, you are looking at months. I've monitored the rate of plant recovery across various crops, and each method has its own place in promoting lethargic recovery.
Foliar Spray Response
- Shows initial improvement in 24-72 hours
- Visible greening of affected leaves first
- Provides temporary symptom relief only
- Requires reapplication every 5-7 days
Water-Soluble Soil Amendments
- Epsom salts show effect in 7-14 days
- New growth appears healthy first
- Older leaves may not fully recover
- Requires soil moisture for activation
Slow-Release Sources
- Dolomite takes 3-6 months for full effect
- Gradual pH adjustment occurs simultaneously
- Provides season-long magnesium availability
- Best applied before planting season
Organic Material Breakdown
- Composted manure releases over 2-3 seasons
- Microbial activity determines release speed
- Improves soil structure while correcting
- Works best in warm moist conditions
Recovery phases exhibit a reliably predictable progression, regardless of the technique used. First photo-synthetic chlorophyll production returns the leaf to green. Second, enzyme systems restart, which increases growth rates, and lastly, nutrient transport returns to normal levels, facilitating fruiting. I document each phase separately by taking leaf photographs each week.
Track recovery with appropriate indicators. Use handheld meters to monitor chlorophyll level. Assess the extent of new leaf development every week, track improvement in flowering and fruit set. I compare the treated plants with those that showed no response as a baseline. I retest the soils after 6 weeks to assess any changes in nutrient levels.
Ongoing management will help prevent recurrence. Maintain the soil pH within an optimal range of 6.0 to 6.8. Apply compost topdressing annually to reintroduce magnesium to the soil. Consider nutrient balances for your crops when rotating crops. With your diligence, you will permanently correct the issue and enjoy healthier harvests in the future.
Read the full article: 7 Critical Signs of Magnesium Deficiency Plants
