Uptake of inactive strontium in selected crop plants under hydroponic- and soil culture conditions.

The uptake of stable strontium (Sr-88(2+)) as a function of Sr2+, Ca2+, and K+ concentration was studied in Zea mays L-. (maize), Lactuca sativa var. capitata L. (lettuce), Brassica napus L. var. napus (rape), Brassica oleracea L. convar. acephala var. gongylodes (turnip cabbage), and Glycine maa: [L]. MERR. (soya). The test plants were cultivated either hydroponically or in soil substrate. Hydroponically grown maize had Sr2+ concentrations up to 4 mg per g dry weight. High concentrations of Ca2+ inhibited the Sr2+ uptake only in soil substrate. The influence of K+ on the uptake of Sr(2+)and Ca2+ was not pronounced. Glycine max showed the highest, Lactuca sativa the lowest Sr2+ accumulation which parallels their ability of taking up Ca2+.