Spectrochemical studies on the uptake of ions by plants I. The Lundegardh flame technique of ash analysis of toxin/antibiotic invaded cotton plants

Abstract

Spectrochemical analysis, using the standard Lundegardh flame emission (spark-in-flame) method, of cotton plants infected by Fusarium vasinfectum Atk., showed an increased uptake of Mg, Ca, Fe and Mn with decreased accumulation of K over the healthy plants. It is suggested that the derangement in the selective absorption of ions, seen in the infected plants, is more likely to have been caused by chemical agents (toxins) than physical causes such as plugging of vessels.