Zirconium for Plants: Root Formation
Zirconium (Zr)
For the plant – root formation
In the plant organism zirconium shows a strong affinity for phosphate groups and active centers in the molecules of ADP and ATP and has the ability to break down certain proteins and enzymes. However, these processes are not yet fully understood.
The absorption of zirconium by plants has been studied under certain conditions. In carrots grown in soil containing radioactive zirconium, a high concentration of the radioisotope was observed in the roots and a low concentration in the shoots. The presence of zirconium in the roots is particularly interesting, considering that it is absorbed only slightly by clay and soil, but the amount that is absorbed is held very tightly and is poorly leached by various salts. The highest concentration of zirconium in the roots and very slight movement to other parts has also been confirmed for other plants.
There is data that zirconium stimulates root formation from shoots and thus stimulates the rooting of shoots.
Solutions of zirconyl chloride (zirconium chloride) suppress the positive geotropism of roots during the first 8 hours after being added to the soil, after which root growth occurs in the usual manner.
With an excess of zirconium in the soil, plants experience tissue death in the leaves.
The plant that is a hyper-accumulator of zirconium is field horsetail Equisetum arvense L., Equisetaceae (herb, ash content – up to 1%).
Medicinal plants containing zirconium:
• Siberian larch Larix sukaczewii Dyl., Pinaceae (wood, bark);
• silver birch Betula pendula Roth, Betulaceae (buds, leaves);
• reed grass Calamagrostis arundinacea (L.) Roth, Poaceae (herb);
• cocksfoot Dactylis glomerata L., Poaceae (herb);
• species of hawthorn Crataegus L., Rosaceae (fruits, ash content – 5–7 mg%);
• species of rosehip Rosa L., Rosaceae (fruits, ash content – 1–2 mg%).
• Siberian larch Larix sukaczewii Dyl., Pinaceae (wood, bark);
• silver birch Betula pendula Roth, Betulaceae (buds, leaves);
• reed grass Calamagrostis arundinacea (L.) Roth, Poaceae (herb);
• cocksfoot Dactylis glomerata L., Poaceae (herb);
• species of hawthorn Crataegus L., Rosaceae (fruits, ash content – 5–7 mg%);
• species of rosehip Rosa L., Rosaceae (fruits, ash content – 1–2 mg%).