Characterization of Toxicity Symptoms of Molybden and Determination of Tissue Threshold Levels for Diagnostic Criteria in Korean Bred Strawberries

This study was carried out to investigate the influence of molybden (Mo) concentrations in fertilizer solution on the growth of and nutrient uptake by domestically bred strawberries. Tissue analysis based on the dry weight was also conducted to determine the threshold levels in plants when Mo toxicity developed in strawberries. The leaf chlorophyll contents decreased lineally as Mo concentrations in the fertilizer solution were elevated. The differences among treatments in chlorophyll contents were statistically significant. The fresh and dry weights decreased significantly when the Mo concentrations in fertilizer solution were higher than 3.0 mM in 'Keumhyang' and 'Maehyang' strawberries and 1.0 mM in 'Seolhyang' strawberry. The elevation of Mo concentrations in fertilizer solution resulted in severe toxicity and crops developed the unique symptoms. The margin of older leaves became yellow and desiccated. Then, the margin of leaf blade rapidly became bronze colored and died as the symptoms spread up the plants. The interveinal area of the young leaves became yellowing. The elevation of Mo concentrations in fertilizer solution did not influence the tissue P, K, and Mg contents based on the dry weight. The tissue Ca contents were higher in 1.0 mM treatment than other treatments of 'Keumhyang' and 'Seolhyang' strawberries. The tissue Mo contents based on the dry weight of 'Keumhyang', 'Maehyang', and 'Seolyahng' strawberries were 76.5, 104.0, and 187.3 mgㆍkg-¹, respectively, in the 0.25 mM treatments and 4,155, 5,367, and 2,190 mgㆍkg-¹, respectively, in the 4.0 mM treatments. The contents increased lineally as Mo concentrations in fertilizer solution were elevated. When the concentration of Mo at which growth of crops were retarded by 10% is regarded as threshold level, the Mo contents based on dry weight of above ground plant tissue should be lower than 653.4, 686.2, and 589.7 mgㆍkg-¹, in 'Keumhyang', 'Maehyang', and 'Seolyahng' strawberries, respectively.