Effects of the application of aluminium, strontium and magnesium solutions to the leaf surface of maize, and determinations of these elements by ICP-AES.
The uptakes of aluminium, magnesium and strontium through maize leaves were investigated. The plants were grown in the light and in the dark (etiolation). Samples of leaves were digested with a mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, and measurements were made by ICP-AES. The aluminium, magnesium and strontium contents of control samples grown in the light or in the dark were found to be similar. There were significant increases in the contents of these elements after maize leaves were sprayed with aluminium, magnesium or strontium solutions: increases of 100 per cent for aluminium, 20 per cent for magnesium and 10 per cent for strontium. The uptakes of these elements were generally higher in the light than in the dark. Aluminium, magnesium and strontium ions act as antagonists of each other. The effects of spraying with the different solutions were also observed in the colour of the maize leaves. However, the ultrastructure of the leaves did not change. The formation of chlorophyll was accelerated by magnesium, and inhibited by aluminium or strontium.
Csikkel-Szolnoki
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A
Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, A. József University, Szeged, Dómtér, Hungary.
Kiss
S A
SA
Mustàrdy
L
L
Horvàth
I
I
D000535:Aluminum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012996:Solutions; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013324:Strontium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure
D012996:Solutions; D000535:Aluminum; D008274:Magnesium; D013324:Strontium