Rb86 as tracer for potassium: I. Uptake of Rb and K by rice plant in nutrient solution

The successful use of Rb86 as a tracer for potassium in rice nutrition studies is related to the relative uptake of these two nutrient elements and the estimation of potassium by Rb86 analysis. Results obtained under nutrient culture condition showed that the ratio of rubidium: potassium in the substrate was similar to that in the plant and the amount of potassium determined by conventional method was comparable to that of radiochemical analysis of Rb86.