Effect of Sodium and Potassium Salts on Growth and Oxalate Content of Halogeton

Abstract

H. glomeratus absorbs large quantities of Na which are primarily metabolized as Na oxalates. Na appears to be required for normal growth of H. A 0.1 [image] concentration of NaCl in nutrient solution was most effective in promoting growth, vigor, physical size, and abundant oxalate formation. When H. was grown in solutions containing 0.01 [image] NaCl or above, only soluble oxalates were formed. Halogeton which received no added Na substituted K in concentration in the leaves. When Na was available in at least a 0.001 [image] concentration in the nutrient solution, the plant absorbed more of this cation than K. K did not completely substitute for Na in promoting growth and vigor or in the formation of soluble oxalates. The requirement for Cl by Halogeton was found to be somewhat higher than that provided by most nutrient cultures.