Calcium nutrition and sodium absorption in mung bean sprouts

Abstract

Water containing 6 mM sodium bicarbonate was used for soaking mung bean seeds for 9 hrs arid for frequent spraying of sprouts for the rest of 5 days. A concentration series of calcium as nitrate showed that 0.25 meq/1 calcium in this solution was sufficient for maximum yield in 5 days; additional calcium up to 6 meq/1 did not increase yield. The requirement for calcium was independent of the effect of calcium on partially preventing sodium uptake. Calcium in the dry seed did not replace the requirement for external calcium. The minimum calcium requirement was associated with maintaining or increasing the 9-hr. calcium content for the rest of the 5-day growing period.