Rubidium for Plants: A Substitute for Potassium
Rubidium (Rb)
For the plant – a substitute for potassium.
Like other monovalent cations, rubidium is easily absorbed by plants.
In plants, rubidium can partially replace potassium. In case of potassium deficiency, rubidium can stimulate plant growth, help maintain adequate tissue hydration, and optimize the root’s absorptive capacity.
Despite the chemical similarity between rubidium and potassium, the absorption and transport of rubidium in plants, as established, differs from that of potassium.
Rubidium is most often accumulated in the root system.
The content of rubidium in plants depends on the plant species. For most species of higher plants, it ranges from 20–70 mg/kg of dry weight.
In fungi, the concentration of rubidium varies from 3 to 150 mg/kg. The maximum rubidium content in fungi reaches 160 mg/kg. For some bacteria, the accumulation of rubidium and other monovalent cations in vacuoles is known.
In fungi, the concentration of rubidium varies from 3 to 150 mg/kg. The maximum rubidium content in fungi reaches 160 mg/kg. For some bacteria, the accumulation of rubidium and other monovalent cations in vacuoles is known.
High concentrations of rubidium are quite toxic to plants.
In case of excess rubidium in the soil, the leaves of plants acquire a dark green color, wither, and the number of shoots significantly increases, while their sizes are small.
In case of excess rubidium in the soil, the leaves of plants acquire a dark green color, wither, and the number of shoots significantly increases, while their sizes are small.
Medicinal plants containing rubidium:
• meadow clover Trifolium pratense L., Fabaceae (herb, content – 44 mg/kg);
• alfalfa Medicago sativa L., Fabaceae (herb, content – 93 mg/kg);
• timothy Phleum pratense L., Poaceae (herb, content – 130 mg/kg);
• red fescue Festuca rubra L., Poaceae (herb, content – 135 mg/kg);
• chlorella Chlorella Beij., Chlorellaceae (division green algae Chlorophyta);
• garden radish Raphanus sativus L., Brassicaceae (root vegetables).
• meadow clover Trifolium pratense L., Fabaceae (herb, content – 44 mg/kg);
• alfalfa Medicago sativa L., Fabaceae (herb, content – 93 mg/kg);
• timothy Phleum pratense L., Poaceae (herb, content – 130 mg/kg);
• red fescue Festuca rubra L., Poaceae (herb, content – 135 mg/kg);
• chlorella Chlorella Beij., Chlorellaceae (division green algae Chlorophyta);
• garden radish Raphanus sativus L., Brassicaceae (root vegetables).