Evening star., 1949-09-23
Rare Metal MoIybdenum
Vital to Plant Growth
Deficiency in Soil Has Dire Effects,
Chemists Conference Is Told
By Thomas r. Henry

ATLANTIC CITY, Sept. ga, vital ele-
ment In plant growth Of which an ounce
an acre fills all requirements but which Is
deficient in most soils and fertilizers is the
rare element molybdenum.
1t is a metal, now used as an alloy for
hardening steel, the fifteenth element now
demonstrated to be essential for agricul-
ture. In any plant tissue it constitutes less
than one part per million.
Dire effects of molybdenum deficiency
in soil were reported to the American Chem
ical Society here by three chemists Of the
New Jersey Agricultural Station The ele.
ment is especially essential they reported,
for the leguminous plants-peas. beans,
and the like-which have the particularly
important function Of fixing the indispen-
sable element nitrogen in the SOIL In some
way not yet understood the rare metal takes
part in this process. II there is not enough
OF 1t. the legumes develop disease called
chlorosis. They whiten and die.
Gives Crops Nutrition Value.
Molybdenum fertilization also adds greatly
to the nutrition value Of other crops, notably
alfalfa. as stock feed. Dr. H. j. Evans and
his associates reported. It increases the
amount OF proteins, essential bricks Of tis-
sue. In the hay and afterwards in the meat
OF the animals that eat It,
The element Is distributed widely In ma
ture, and soils over a large part Of the
country may have enough Of it. Analysis
has shown minute amounts Of molybdenum
IN potashes and lines used as fertilizers.
but usually considerably below the mini.
mum requirement in cases where the soil
Is completely deficient.
This general distribution probably is why
the need Of the element has not hitherto
been recognized.
Asparagus is rich source of drug which
offers one of the best hopes OF protection
against the deadly radiations Of the atom
bomb. according to report to the associa-
ton by DR.. A. E. Stevenson Of the Conti-
mental Can Co. of Chicago.
This substance is rutin, first isolated from
tobacco and now obtained chiefly from
puckWheat. Its chief value Is in strength.
enlng the walls Of the capillaries, thus pos
slbly preventing the innumerable small in
ternal hemorrhages which are one of the
most dreaded results of radiation
IL Is OF value in the treatment Of high
blood pressure, one of whose effects also is
TO break the walls of these capillaries, It
also is believed to protect animals from
1rostbite and may prove of value in high.
altitude flying.
1t is considered of such significance that
the Atomic Energy Commission has COM
AAAAooioAIoo Two university OF Rochester sci.
entlsts to seek for new sources of rutin
and closely related compounds which are
believed to have similar effects.
Asparagus Is one of the richest sources
yet uncovered. DR.. Stevenson said, and the
amount increases in the autumn when the
stalks are too tough to be edible.
discovery OF new compound which shows
exceptional promise in relieving muscular
spasms without causing bad side effects was
reported to the society by chemists of the
Schering Corp. Bloomfield. N. j.
At present identified only as S-5l, it is
being tested In variety Of spasms. Anti
spasmodics are used for the relief of stom-
ach spasms due to over-acidity, gall-blad.
der spasms caused by stone in the gall blad-
der. those due to kidney stones, etc. None
OF them now known are free from unde-
sirable side effects. Notable among them
Is atropine. which causes dryness Of the
mouth and blurring of vision. The Scher-
ing chemists have been searching since 1943
Tor an atropine substitute. u g-~s
The newly discovered compound can be
taken by mouth, they reported, and seems
to lack most Of the bad side reactions,