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Use of K/Rb Ratio to Characterize Potassium Uptake by Plant Roots Growing in Soil
Author(s) -
Baligar V. C.,
Barber S. A.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1978.03615995004200040008x
Subject(s) - potassium , chemistry , flux (metallurgy) , ion , ion exchange , diffusion , cation exchange capacity , plant roots , membrane , analytical chemistry (journal) , rubidium , zea mays , plant root , inorganic chemistry , soil water , agronomy , botany , environmental chemistry , horticulture , soil science , physics , biochemistry , environmental science , organic chemistry , biology , thermodynamics
Interaction between the plant root and the soil on cation influx into the root is not well understood. Use of the ratio of K/Rb, two ions absorbed interchangeably by the root, enables measurement of the K ion medium influencing K flux into the root. In experiments with corn ( Zea mays L.) grown in eight soil‐K systems in a growth chamber, the K/Rb ratio of uptake was similar to the K/Rb ratio of the ions on the exchange sites, and not the K/Rb ratio of the solution cations. The data may be interpreted to indicate that K and Rb on the exchange sites had more influence on K and Rb flux into the root than K and Rb in solution. Diffusion of K and Rb from the soil to H‐saturated exchange membranes was in the ratio of K/Rb in solution.