Strontium for Plants: Calcium Substitute
Strontium (Sr)
For the plant – a substitute for calcium
Strontium is a component of microorganisms and plants. Marine algae contain 26–140 mg% of strontium (in dry matter), terrestrial plants – about 2.6 mg%, bacteria – 0.27–30 mg%. The accumulation of strontium by various organisms depends not only on their species but also on the ratio of strontium, calcium, and phosphorus in the environment. The total strontium content in soils is 0.035% (by weight).
At optimal concentrations, strontium plays a positive role in the metabolism of plants.
In small doses, it performs functions similar to those of calcium: it participates in the construction of the plant cell wall, increases the strength of plant tissues, and contributes to the increased resilience of plants. It increases the starch content in potato tubers.
Radioactive strontium isotope, 90Sr, entering the soil during nuclear weapon tests or accidents, along with soluble calcium compounds, enters plants. Among others, 90Sr is most accumulated by plants of the legume family, as well as plants that form root crops and tubers; somewhat less by cereal plants, including grains, and flax. Significantly less 90Sr accumulates in seeds and fruits than in other organs (for example, in the leaves and stems of wheat, 90Sr is 10 times more than in the grain).
Strontium hyperaccumulators include:
• Arabis stricta Huds., Brassicaceae (grass, ash content – 1–3%);
• Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch, Saxifragaceae (rhizome with roots);
• Polygonum bistorta L., Polygonaceae (rhizome with roots);
• Echinopanax elatum Nakai, Araliaceae (rhizome with roots);
• Sanguisorba officinalis L., Rosaceae (roots);
• Quercus robur L., Fagaceae (bark);
• Lagochilus inebrians Bunge, Lamiaceae (grass);
• Vaccinium vitis–idaea L., Ericaceae (leaves);
• Aloe arborescens Mill., Asphodelaceae (leaves);
• Pimpinella anisum L., Apiaceae (fruits);
• Rhamnus cathartica L., Rhamnaceae (fruits).
• Arabis stricta Huds., Brassicaceae (grass, ash content – 1–3%);
• Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch, Saxifragaceae (rhizome with roots);
• Polygonum bistorta L., Polygonaceae (rhizome with roots);
• Echinopanax elatum Nakai, Araliaceae (rhizome with roots);
• Sanguisorba officinalis L., Rosaceae (roots);
• Quercus robur L., Fagaceae (bark);
• Lagochilus inebrians Bunge, Lamiaceae (grass);
• Vaccinium vitis–idaea L., Ericaceae (leaves);
• Aloe arborescens Mill., Asphodelaceae (leaves);
• Pimpinella anisum L., Apiaceae (fruits);
• Rhamnus cathartica L., Rhamnaceae (fruits).
Medicinal plants containing strontium:
• Aconitum leucostomum Worosch., Ranunculaceae (rhizomes and roots – 280.8 µg/g);
• Aralia mandshurica Rupr. et Maxim., Araliaceae (rhizome with roots);
• Tribulus terrestris L., Zygophyllaceae (grass);
• Datura inoxia Mill., Solanaceae (leaves);
• Prunus armeniaca Armeniaca vulgaris Lam., Rosaceae (fruits – 0.35–0.56 mg%).
• Aconitum leucostomum Worosch., Ranunculaceae (rhizomes and roots – 280.8 µg/g);
• Aralia mandshurica Rupr. et Maxim., Araliaceae (rhizome with roots);
• Tribulus terrestris L., Zygophyllaceae (grass);
• Datura inoxia Mill., Solanaceae (leaves);
• Prunus armeniaca Armeniaca vulgaris Lam., Rosaceae (fruits – 0.35–0.56 mg%).