A Method for Analysis of Plant Tissue by Direct Reading Spark Emission Spectroscopy

Abstract

A procedure was developed for the rapid quantitative determination of K, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, B, and Zn content in plant tissue by direct reading emission spectrometry using spark excitation and the rotating disc electrode technique. Aliquots of standard reference material, ground to pass a 40 mesh screen, are weighed into high form porcelain crucibles and ashed at 450°C for 6 h. Five milliliters of an internal standard-buffer solution (0.2% cobalt and 0.5% lithium in 1 N HCl) are added to the remaining ash. The resulting solution is subjected to a 30-sec burn on the spectrometer, and the intensity ratios for each element are recorded. Known concentrations ( X) and intensity ratio units ( Y) are entered into a stepwise regression computer program, and the linear, quadratic, and cubic regressions of Y on X are determined. Sample values are entered as Y into the appropriate regression equation which is then solved for X. If quadratic or cubic regression equations are used, the program will select the appropriate root. Relative standard deviations for samples determined over a several-day period generally were less than 10%.

Influence of Foliar Application of Nitrogen on Tree Growth, Precocity, Fruit Quality, and Leaf Mineral Nutrients in Young ‘Fuji’ Apple Trees on Three Rootstocks

“…Leaves were weighed before and after drying, and percent dry weight was calculated. Dried leaf tissue was ground to passed a 40-mesh screen, and analyzed for N by the micro-Kjeldahl method (Schuman et al, 1973) and for K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, MN, and Cu by dry ashing at 500_C, digestion, and atomic absorption spectrophotometery (Perkin-Elmer B1100, Norwalk, CT, USA) as described by Chaplin and Dixon (1974) and Jones (1977).…”

Long-term leaf mineral nutrition in ‘Pacific Gala’ apple (Malus×domesticaBorkh.) as affected by rootstock type and irrigation system during six stages of tree development

“…Leaf tissues were analysed for potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) by dryashing at 500ºC, followed by digestion with 10% (v/v) nitric acid, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Perkin-Elmer B1100; Norwalk, CT, USA), as described by Chaplin and Dixon (1974).…”

Ammonium sulfate fertilization of blueberries on a mineral soil

“…5, Table 3), indicating that this level is sufficient for good production and plant vigor. Other researchers have also found N levels of 1.8 to 2.6 percent in healthy plants (4,6,7). Optimum soil pH and leaf concentration of N for blueberries are apparently about the same whether grown on organic or mineral soils.…”