, 226:106
First online:
21 March 2015
Open Access
Abstract
The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of soil pH on the uptake of copper, zinc, and manganese by Valeriana officinalis.
Preliminary studies involved soil analyses to determine acidity,
organic matter content, and copper, zinc, and manganese total and
bioavailable forms. The study involved atomic absorption spectrometry to
determine the concentration of the elements, and mineral soil of
pH = 5.1 was used in the study, as being typical for central Poland. The
copper, zinc, and manganese contents were determined in plants grown in
soils which had been modified to cover a wide range of pH values 3÷13.
The intensity of germination was strongly pH dependent with the highest
yield obtained in original, unmodified soil. Surprisingly, high soil
alkalinity stimulated copper and manganese uptake while at the same time
resulting in a decrease in zinc content.
Keywords
Valeriana officinalis Soil Heavy metals Herbs FAAS
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