Nitrate content of plants reduced by magnesium fertilizers.

High rates of nitrogen fertilization dangerously increase the nitrate content of plants, particularly vegetable crops. Nitrates when introduced with food in the human (animal) organism may cause methaemoglobinaemia, or in severe cases death. This danger threatens infants primarily. If fertilizers containing magnesium, eg Agronit (28% N and 2.5% Mg) or Kardonit (28% N and 5.5% Mg), are used for fertilization, the nitrate content of food plants can be considerably reduced. The human aspects of this are of great importance.