Cation Effects on Phosphate Absorption From Solution by Trifolium Subterraneum

Abstract

The rate of phosphate absorption by intact plants of Trifolium 8ubterraneum L. cv. Mt. Barker was markedly increased by raising the calcium concentration of the nutrient solution from virtually nil to 25 and 250 JLM. Increasing the level of magnesium in the nutrient solution from 10 to 100 JLM substantially activated the rate of phosphate absorption in the absence of calcium. However, the rates of absorption were independent of the potassium level in the solution.