Tungsten for Plants: The Opponent of Molybdenum
Tungsten (W)
For plants – an antagonist of molybdenum.
Tungsten can replace molybdenum in both animals and plants, as well as in bacteria, while inhibiting the activity of molybdenum-dependent enzymes, such as xanthine oxidase.
With excessive tungsten intake, plants develop symptoms of molybdenum deficiency: a large amount of nitrates accumulates, chlorosis develops – initially at the edges of the leaves, then – between the veins, accompanied by brown necrosis; at the same time, the tips of the leaves curl, and the petioles also bend.
Selectively accumulate tungsten are plants that produce saponins.
The hyperaccumulator plant for tungsten is the Siberian pine Pinus sibirica Du Tour, Pinaceae (wood, ash content – up to 1%).
Medicinal plants containing tungsten:
• blue cohosh Polemonium coeruleum L., Polemoniaceae (rhizome with roots);
• common gromwell Gratiola officinalis L., Scrophulariaceae (herb);
• pot marigold Calendula officinalis L., Asteraceae (inflorescences).
• blue cohosh Polemonium coeruleum L., Polemoniaceae (rhizome with roots);
• common gromwell Gratiola officinalis L., Scrophulariaceae (herb);
• pot marigold Calendula officinalis L., Asteraceae (inflorescences).