Abstract
Potassium and free polyamine concentrations in the leaves of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) and downy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh) were followed during three successive growing seasons 1996, 1997 and 1998 in order to define K deficiency levels.
The highest foliar K concentrations were found in June. In August, the K concentrations were lower and remained quite stable in Betula pendula but varied in Betula pubescens. In addition to a common diamine, putrescine, and the polyamines, spermidine and spermine, also a less common diamine and polyamine, 1,3-diaminopropane and norspermidine were found in the birch leaves. The accumulation of both diamines, putrescine and 1,3-diaminopropane, was used to define the critical levels of K nutrition in birch leaves. Foliar K concentrations below 7–8 mg g −1 DW were found to correlate with the accumulation of diamines at most sampling dates.
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Tytti, S., Seppo, K. Potassium nutrition and free polyamines of Betula pendula Roth and Betula pubescens Ehrh.. Plant and Soil 238, 141–149 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014262213688
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014262213688