The uptake of radioactive strontium by crops under field conditions in the United Kingdom

Abstract

1. Field experiments are described in which the absorption of radioactive strontium by rye-grass and lucerne has been investigated during 1958 on five soil types which represent a range in exchangeable soil calcium content. 89Sr was applied as a spray to both arable land and to established pasture.2. Absorption was reduced by a factor of up to 4 in rye-grass (shallow rooted) following ploughing to 11 in. compared with leaving the contamination on the soil surface. These results are compared with those obtained in an earlier series of experiments in 1957.3. The ratio of 89Sr to calcium was highest in crops grown on soil low in calcium (2 m-equiv. Ca per 100 g. extracted with N-ammonium acetate).4. The addition of lime reduced absorption of 89Sr from the soil only when the exchangeable soil calcium content was relatively low. Some effect was observed in soils containing 7–8 m-equiv. Ca/100 g., a considerably larger one in a soil containing 2 m-equiv.5. Only small differences occurred in the ratio of 89Sr to calcium between lucerne and rye-grass. This comparison was not made beyond the first 6 months of growth.6. Experiments carried out with established pastures on four soil types indicate that 89Sr is more readily absorbed from the ‘plant-base’ than after incorporation with soil. Ploughing and reseeding may reduce the ratio of 89Sr to calcium in herbage by a factor of up to 4. This effect may be greater on mature swards.7. The liming of contaminated swards reduces the ratio of 89Sr to calcium in herbage by a factor of 2 to 3 regardless of the calcium content of the soil, and liming followed by ploughing and reseeding by a factor of 3 to 7.