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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Movement of metal cations through the soil to the plant root membrane. Final technical report, June 1, 1966--November 30, 1978

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6369968· OSTI ID:6369968
This project concerns metal cation flux through the soil and into the plant. Some highlights resulting from this research are as follows. Effect of soil properties on relative adsorption of Ca, Sr, K, Rb, and Cs by soil was measured. A theoretically developed concept explained differences between Ca and Sr adsorption on inorganic and organic exchange sites. A convenient method was developed to characterize cation absorption kinetics of intact plant roots. Use of this method showed genotypic variation in effect of ion concentration on influx. Corn absorbed Ca and Sr and K and Rb indiscriminantly. A method, using Ca/Sr and K/Rb ratio of ion influx into the plant, was developed to determine the source of these ions absorbed from the soil. Uptake of these ions from soil by corn was in the ratio on exchange sites rather than that in solution. The method was also used to compare uptake of chelated with ionized cations. A simulation model was developed that described ion flux from the soil into the plant. Ten independently measured soil and plant parameters were used. A computer program was prepared to calculate uptake with time. The model was verified in both growth chamber and field experiments.
Research Organization:
Purdue Univ., Lafayette, IN (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
AEC
OSTI ID:
6369968
Report Number(s):
COO-1495-30
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English