Learn the Basic Science of GMCO Nitro-Mag:
When speaking with prospective clients, especially at trade shows it can get confusing in that there is so much data to present. There are so many positive aspects to Nitro-Mag and Nitro-Mag K and Nitro-Mag S, that it is difficult to know where to begin. In trying to organize my own thoughts and presentations I thought it was something everyone could use. This will be the first of the series.
What sets Nitro-Mag apart from other traditional Nitrogen products is that it is in the Amine NH2 form of Nitrogen, but what exactly does that mean?
Amines are chemical compounds that contain a Nitrogen atom bonded to two Hydrogen atoms and then have two unattached electrons called a lone pair of electrons.
That’s what is called a Lewis Structure diagram of NH2 or an Amine Group. You must have NH2 to form an Amino Acid.
Other forms of Nitrogen such as Ammonium (NH4) or Nitrate (NO3) must be converted by the plant into the NH2 form to be used to form Amino Acids. This takes time and plant energy to accomplish.
All Amino Acids must have an Amino Group (NH2) and a central Carbon along with a variable side chain which determines the characteristics of each individual Amino Acid. Nitro-Mag is supplying that NH2 amino group.
Amino acids are organic compounds that when linked together in long chains form proteins in all living things. In addition to forming proteins, amino acids also play a role in regulating different metabolic processes, facilitate nutrient transport, and serve as precursors for plant hormones. There are 21 amino acids in plants all manufactured by the plant. The human body has 20 amino acids 9 of which are essential and have to come from our foods.
When we say that Nitro-Mag is the amine form of Nitrogen (NH2), we are saying it is the more efficient Nitrogen due to the fact it is the Amino Group that is a foundational part of all Amino Acids. No Nitrogen conversion is needed.
We know that plants can take up Nitrogen in four forms only. Organic Nitrogen (NH2), Ammonium Nitrogen (NH4), Nitrate (NO3) and molecular nitrogen. NO3 and NH4 are called inorganic nitrogen. Let’s study what happens when the plant takes up NO3 Nitrate through the root system.
Nitrogen in the Nitrate form cannot be directly used by the plant but must be reduced to ammonia (NH3) before it can be assimilated. This process is called Nitrate Reduction and is conducted in a three-step process. The Nitrate (NO3) is converted to Nitrite (NO2) by the enzyme Nitrate Reductase. Once in the NO2 form it is then converted to Ammonia (NH3) by the enzyme Nitrite reductase. The roots take up the NO3 but the conversion work goes on in the leaves of the plant. These conversions are dependent on the presence of several enzymes for the conversion to complete its cycle.
These reactions are energy consuming and require ATP and NADPH as cofactors to make it all work.
Ammonium nitrogen (NH4) must first be converted back to Nitrate (NO3) by the plant and then the same three step NO3 process has to begin again. Once in the Ammonia form (NH3) the third step is then incorporated into organic nitrogen compounds such as amino acids and nucleic acids. That is called the process of ammonium assimilation and occurs in the chloroplasts and mitochondria. It involves the conversion of ammonia to glutamine by the enzyme glutamine synthetase and the conversion of that then into other amino acids. From this point the proteins can be formed and the work of the plant continues. All of this work and energy must be spent before the NH4 and NO3 forms of nitrogen can work in the plant.
Urea has two NH2 molecules and is a key ingredient in Nitro-Mag.
Amino Acids in plants are responsible for:
· Increased Chlorophyll production
· Provide rich source of organic nitrogen
· Stimulate synthesis of vitamins
· Influence various enzymatic systems
· Higher nutritional content, size, flavor, and coloration of fruits
· Higher plant Brix levels (quality increase)
· Increased pest and pathogen resistance
· Increases microbial activity and health in soils which builds soil structure, fertility and water retention
· Among many other functions
Amino Acids are the base structure for proteins. The standard amino acids combine to form many countless different proteins.
Protein plant functions include:
· Plant structure (supportive)
· Metabolic (enzymes and stimulation)
· Nutrient transport
· Amino Acid reserves
· Proteins are used in virtually every biological process
Stabilized Amine Nitrogen (SAN) means the NH2 form needs to stay in that form for as long as possible to be taken up by the plant. Without that stabilization the NH2 form of Nitrogen will begin to convert to the NH4 form and then eventually be reduced to Nitrate (NO3). GMCO uses a stabilizer we call Nutri-Boost that enhances biological activity in the plant while working at protecting the NH2 form. Most Commercial Nitrogen stabilizers are harmful to the soil’s biological populations.
The results of using an NH2 organic Amine form of Nitrogen, is the efficient production of Amino Acids and from that the proteins that are the basis of all plant functions. Nitro-Mag supplies the Amine Group for the manufacture of Amino Acids. Amine is more efficient for the plants work than nitrate and the ammonium forms of Nitrogen.
Marcus Dennis
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