Bismuth for plants: a photosynthesis regulator?
Bismuth (Bi)
For the plant – a regulator of photosynthesis?
The average content of bismuth in higher plants does not exceed 0.02 mg/kg of dry mass, while in the edible parts of plants it amounts to 0.06 mg/kg of dry mass.
When entering the plant organism, bismuth is distributed as follows: maximum accumulation occurs in the roots, stems contain significantly lower amounts, in the leaves the content increases again and decreases in flowers and fruits.
It is believed that bismuth is relatively easily absorbed by the root system of plants, but does not remain in it, moves through the stem without accumulating in the conductive tissues, and travels to the leaves, where photosynthesis occurs. There are individual indications of bismuth’s involvement in the regulation of photosynthesis, however, this fact has not been conclusively proven. Some data also exist regarding the antibacterial action of bismuth in plants.
Medicinal plants containing bismuth:
• wormwood Gmelin Artemisia gmelinii Weber ex Stechm., Asteraceae (roots, content – 0.97 mg/kg leaves – 0.27 mg/kg);
• medicinal sage Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae (leaves);
• green algae Chlorophyta Pascher.
• wormwood Gmelin Artemisia gmelinii Weber ex Stechm., Asteraceae (roots, content – 0.97 mg/kg leaves – 0.27 mg/kg);
• medicinal sage Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae (leaves);
• green algae Chlorophyta Pascher.