An investigation of the mineral content of barley grains and seedlings

• Published in: Plant physiology (Bethesda) Vol. 86; no. 1; pp. 93 - 97
• Main Authors: Stewart, Ann, Hilary Nield, John N. A. Lott
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rockville, MD American Society of Plant Physiologists 1988
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Aleurone layer; Barley; Biological and medical sciences; calcio; calcium; Chemical constitution; contenido mineral; Economic plant physiology; Embryos; Endosperm; fosforo; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Grains; hordeum vulgare; magnesio; magnesium; mineral content; Minerals; Neutron activation analysis; Pericarp; phosphore; phosphorus; Plant physiology and development; plantulas; plantule; potasio; potassium; Seedlings; teneur en elements mineraux; X ray analysis; Monocotyledones; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Plantlet; Spermatophyta; Caryopsis; Inorganic element; Cereal crop
• ISSN: 0032-0889; 1532-2548
• DOI: 10.1104/pp.86.1.93

The Ca, Mg, K, and P content of dry barley (Hordeum vulgare) grains and seedlings was investigated using energy dispersive x-ray analysis and neutron activation analysis. Energy dispersive x-ray analysis of protein bodies in aleurone cells showed that these bodies contained very little Ca in relation to P, Mg, and K. Neutron activation analysis also showed that the endosperm contained very little Ca in relation to the other three elements. Surface sterilization and soaking treatments brought about slight loss of Ca but substantial loss of K from embryos. Over 6 days of growth the seedling plant gained minerals from the endosperm.