THE ROLE OF STABLE CESIUM ON PLANT UPTAKE OF CESIUM-137

Abstract

Studies were conducted to evaluate the role of stable cesium on plant uptake of cesium-137. Stable Cs applied to soil simultaneously with the 137Cs increased the uptake of 137Cs by bush bean plants by an order of magnitude. Stable Cs applied just after 137Cs had been applied was only half as effective in increasing uptake as was Cs mixed with the 137Cs before application. When bush beans were grown in pots of various sizes, plants in small pots contained much more manganese and less potassium in primary leaves and less 137Cs in all plant parts than did plants grown in large pots. Most Mn was in primary leaves. Three consecutive barley cuttings from the same pots resulted in less 137Cs and Cs in plants from small pots per unit of dry weight than from large pots and in less K, more Ca, and more 137Cs in the third crop. The first crop, besides being lowest in 137Cs, was also lowest in Ca, Mg, P, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Sr relative to the second and third crops. The correlation coefficient between 137Cs and Cs was +0.64, and it was −0.31 between 137Cs and K.