Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Tracer methods with isotopes

  • Chapter
Die Mineralische Ernährung der Pflanze / Mineral Nutrition of Plants

  • 175 Accesses

Abstract

Radioactive isotopes were first used in 1923 by Hevesy (see Hevesy 1948) to demonstrate the movement of ions in plants but their use as tracers was little more than an elegant curiosity until atomic energy research made them accessible in increasing quantities after the second World War. In the decade since then tracer methods have been among the most important and widely publicised new techniques in physiological laboratories. Both stable and radioactive isotopes have been employed, but the much greater cost of equipment for the assay of the former, and their smaller versatility, has caused them to be much less widely used than radioactive isotopes. In general it can be said that the physiologist has recourse to stable isotopes only when no satisfactory radioactive isotope is available. Methods employing radioactive isotopes will therefore mainly be considered in this chapter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Literature

  • Benson, A. A., and M. Calvin: The path of carbon in photosynthesis. VII. Respiration and photosynthesis. J. of Exper. Bot. 1, 63–69 (1950).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biddulph, O.: The translocation of minerals in plants. Mineral nutrition of plants. E. Truog (Ed.), pp. 261–275. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press 1951.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blume, J. M., C. E. Hagen and R. W. Mackie: Radiation injury to plants grown in nutrient solutions containing P32. Soil Sci. 70, 415–426 (1950).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bould, C., D. J. D. Nicholas and W. D. E. Thomas: Radiation effects in plant nutrition experiments with phosphorus-32. Nature (Lond.) 167, 140 (1951).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, H. J. M., and J. A. Dymond: Strontium and barium in plants and soils. Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. Ser. B 144, 355–368 (1955).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, G. A.: Autoradiography in biology and medicine. New York: Academic Press Inc. 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broyer, T. C.: The nature of the process of inorganic solute accumulation in roots. Mineral nutrition of plants. E. Truog (Ed.), pp. 187–249. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press 1951.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan, J. G., J. A. Bassham, A. A. Benson, D. F. Bradley, M. Calvin, L. I. Daus, M. Goodman, P. M. Hayes, V. H. Lynch, L. T. Norris and A. T. Wilson: The path of carbon in photosynthesis. XVII. Phosphorus compounds as intermediates in photosynthesis. Phosphorus metabolism. W. D. Mc Elroy and B. Glass (Ed.), vol. 2, pp. 440–466. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press 1952.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Burris, R. H.: Isotopes as tracers in plants. Bot. Rev. 16, 150–180 (1950).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Calvin, M., C. Heidelberger, J. C. Reid, B. M. Tolbert and P. F. Yankwich: Isotopic carbon. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1949.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canny, M. J.: High-resolution autoradiography of water-soluble substances. Nature (Lond.) 175, 857–858 (1955).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clowes, F. A. L.: Nucleic acids in root apical meristems of Zea. New Phytologist 55, 29–34 (1956).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Comar, C. L.: Radioisotopes in biology and agriculture. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, G. B., and J. F. Duncan: Modem radiochemical practice. Oxford: Clarendon Press 1952.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dion, G., C. F. Bedford, R. J. St. Arnaud and J. W. T. Spinks: Plant injury from phosphorus-32. Nature (Lond.) 163, 906–907 (1949).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doniach, I., A. Howard and S. R. Pelc: Autoradiography. Progr. Biophysics 3, 1–26 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, C., and E. J. Harris: Do tracers measure fluxes? Nature (Lond.) 175, 262 (1955).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, E., and C. E. Hagen: A kinetic study of the absorption of alkali cations by barley roots. Plant Physiol. 27, 457–474 (1952).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, E., and P. R. Stout: The micronutrient cations iron, manganese, zinc, and copper: Their uptake by plants from the adsorbed state. Soil Sci. 72, 47–65 (1951).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fogg, G. E.: Nitrogen fixation by photosynthetic organisms. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 7, 51–70 (1956).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fried, M., and L. A. Dean: A concept concerning the measurement of available soil nutrients. Soil Sci. 73, 263–271 (1952).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frierson, W. J., and J. W. Jones: Radioactive tracers in paper partition chromatography of inorganic ions. Analyt. Chemistry 23, 1447–1452 (1951).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, N. S., F. W. Chandler, C. H. M. van Bavel, P. H. Reid and J. H. Anderson: A tracer technique to measure growth and activity of plant root systems. N. Carolina Agricult. Exper. Stat. Techn. Bull. 101 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendricks, S. B., and L. A. Dean: Basic concepts of soil and fertilizer studies with radioactive phosphorus. Proc. Soil Sci-Soc. Amer. 12, 98–100 (1948).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hevesy, G.: Radioactive indicators. New York: Inter. science Publishers, Inc. 1948.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, A., and S. R. Pelc: Synthesis of deoxyribose nucleic acid and nuclear incorporation of 35S as shown by autoradiographs. Ciba Foundation Conference on Isotopes in Biochemistry. G. E. W. Wolstenholme (Ed.), pp. 138–148. London: J. & A. Churchill Ltd. 1951.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Commission on Radiological Protection: International Recommendations on Radiological Protection. Brit. J. Radiol. Suppl. 6 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenny, H.: Contact phenomena between adsorbents and their significance in plant nutrition. Mineral nutrition of plants. E. Truog (Ed.), pp. 107–132. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press 1951.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamen, M. D.: Radioactive tracers in biology. New York: Academic Press, Inc. 1947.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keynes, R. D., and P. R. Lewis: The sodium and potassium content of cephalopod nerve fibres. J. of Physiol. 114, 151–182 (1951).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, S.: The use of P32 in studies on the uptake of phosphorus by plants. Plant and Soil 4, 1–10 (1952).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Libby, W. F.: Reactions of high energy atoms produced by slow neutron capture. J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 62, 1930–1944 (1940).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loughman, B. C., and R. P. Martin: Methods and equipment for the study of phosphate utilization by intact barley plants in experiments of short duration. J. of Exper. Bot. 8, 280–293 (1957).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loughman, B. C., and R. S. Russell: The absorption and utilization of phosphate by young barley plants. IV. The initial stages of phosphate metabolism in roots. J. of Exper. Bot. 8, 222–229 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, R. P.: Electronic apparatus for in vivo assay of plants. Nucleonics 10(1), 50–53 (1952).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, R. P., and R. S. Russell: Studies with radioactive tracers in plant nutrition. II. The estimation of radioactive tracers. J. of Exper. Bot. 1, 141–158 (1950).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Studies with radioactive tracers in plant nutrition. III. The effect of radiation from phosphorus-32 on the growth and phosphate utilization of barley seedlings. J. of Exper. Bot. 5, 91–109 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mc Auliffe, C. D., N. S. Hall, L. A. Dean and S. B. Hendricks: Exchange reactions between phosphates and soils: Hydroxylic surfaces of soil minerals. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. 12, 119–123 (1948).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Standards (U.S.A.): Control and removal of radioactive contamination in laboratories. Hand. Nat. Bur. Stand. 48 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Overstreet, R., and L. A. Dean: The availability of soil anions. Mineral nutrition of plants. E. Truog (Ed.), pp. 79–105. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press 1951.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelc, S. R., and A. Howard: Techniques of autoradiography and the application of the stripping-film method to problems of nuclear metabolism. Brit. Med. Bull. 8, 132–135 (1952).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Porter, H. K., and L. H. May: Metabolism of radioactive sugars by tobacco leaf disks. J. of Exper. Bot. 6, 43–63 (1955).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ropp, G. A.: Effect of isotope substitution on organic reaction rates. Nucleonics 10 (9), 22–27 (1952).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Russell, R. S.: Problems in the use of phosphorus-32 in the study of plant nutrition. Proc. Isotope Techniques Conference Oxford, 1951, I, pp. 402–411. London: H.M.S.O. 1953.

    Google Scholar 

  • The relationship between metabolism and the accumulation of ions by plants. Symposia Soc. f. Exper. Biol. 8, 343–366 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, R. S., and M. J. Ayland: Exchange reactions in the entry of cations into plant tissues. Nature (Lond.) 175, 204–205 (1955).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Russell, R. S., E. W. Russell, P. G. Marais and W. N. M. Foster: Factors affecting the availability to plants of soil phosphates. Proc. Int. Conf. on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Geneva, 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, R. S., F. K. Sanders and O. N. Bishop: Preparation of radioautographs to show the distribution of phosphorus-32 in plant tissues. Nature (Lond.) 163, 639–640 (1949).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sacks, J.: Isotopic tracers in biochemistry and physiology. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. 1953.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smales, A. A., and L. Salmon: Determination by radioactivation of small amounts of rubidium and caesium in sea water and related materials of geochemical interest. Analyst (Lond.) 80, 37–50 (1955).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spinks, J. W. T., and S. A. Barber: Study of fertilizer uptake using radioactive phosphorus. Sci. Agricult. 27, 145–156 (1947).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strajman, E., and N. Pace: In vivo studies with radioisotopes. Adv. Biol. and Med. Physics 2, 193–241 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutcliffe, J. F.: Cation absorption by non-growing plan. cells. Symposia Soc. f. Exper. Biol. 8, 325–342 (1954).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, C. A., and J. B. Whitneyt Studies on the translocation of foliar-applied P32 and other radioisotopes in bean plants: Amer. J. Bot. 40, 816–823 (1953).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tukey, H. B.: The uptake of nutrients by leaves and branches of fruit trees. Rep. XIII Int. hort. Cong., I, pp. 297–306, 1952.

    Google Scholar 

  • United States Atomic Energy Commission: Use of Isotopes in Plant and Animal Rsearch TID 5098 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Role of Atomic Energy in Agricultural Research TID 5155 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Annotated Bibliography in Radiobiology to 1953. ANL 5111 (see also “Journals”).

    Google Scholar 

  • Veall, N.: A Geiger-Muller counter for measuring the β-ray activity of liquids, and its application to medical tracer experiments. Brit. J. Radiol. 21, 347–351 (1948).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vosburgh, G. J., L. B. Flexner and D. B. Cowie: The determination of radioactive iron in biological material with particular reference to purification and separation of iron with isopropyl ether, ashing and electroplating technique, and accuracy of the method. J. of Biol. Chem. 175, 391–404 (1948).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Webster, G. C.: Nitrogen metabolism. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 6, 43–70 (1955).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whitehouse, W. J., and J. L. Putman: Radioactive isotopes. Oxford: Clarendon Press 1953.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiklander, L.: Kinetics of phosphate exchange in soils. Ann. Roy. Agricult. Col. Sweden 17, 407–424 (1950).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, P. W.: The comparative biochemistry of nitrogen fixation. Adv. Enzymol. 13, 345–373 (1952).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Winteringham, F. P. W., A. Harrison and R. G. Bridges: Radioactive tracer paper chromatography techniques. Proc. Isotope Techniques Conference, Oxford, 1951, I, pp. 352–362. London: H.M.S.O. 1953.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yagoda, H.: Radioactive measurements with nuclear emulsions. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1949.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. R. Scott Russell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biologisch Station „Weevers’-Duin“, Duinen 11, Oostvoorne, Holland

    M. J. Adriani

  2. The Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

    Alfred Åslander (Assistant Professor) (Assistant Professor)

  3. Botanischen Institut der Universität, Münster/Westf., Schloßgarten 3, Deutschland

    Walter Baumeister (Kustos) (Kustos)

  4. Agrikulturchemischen Institut, Universität Jena, Philosophenweg 14, Deutschland

    W. Bergmann (Oberassistent) (Oberassistent)

  5. Pflanzenphysiologisches Institut der Universität, Wien I, Österreich

    Richard Biebl (Universitätsprofessor) (Universitätsprofessor)

  6. Gießen, Ludwigstr. 23, Deutschland

    Eduard v. Boguslawski

  7. Instituts für Geobotanik, E.T.H., Zürich 44, Zürichbergstr. 38, Schweiz

    Heinz Ellenberg (Direktor) (Direktor)

  8. Pharmakognostisches Institut, Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170a, Deutschland

    Walter Eschrich

  9. Botanisches Institut der Universität, Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, Deutschland

    Hermann Fischer

  10. Universität München, München 19, Menzinger Straße 67, Deutschland

    Fritz Gessner (Professor) (Professor)

  11. Agricultural Research Council Unit of Plant Nutrition (Micro nutrients), University of Bristol, Research Station, Long Ashton, Bristol, Great Britain

    Eric J. Hewitt (Senior Plant Physiologist) (Senior Plant Physiologist)

  12. Statens Planteavls-Laboratorium, Lyngby, Dänemark

    H. L. Jensen (Abteilungsdirektor) (Abteilungsdirektor)

  13. Deutschen Hydrographischen Institut, Hamburg 4, Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 78, Deutschland

    Kurt Kalle (Regierungsrat) (Regierungsrat)

  14. Staatlichen Forschungs- und Beratungsinstitut für Höhenlandwirtschaft, Donaueschingen, Deutschland

    Werner Krause (Regierungsbotaniker) (Regierungsbotaniker)

  15. Department of Forestry, Oxford University, Great Britain

    L. Leyton

  16. Institut für Forstbotanik und Forstgenetik, Universität Göttingen, Hannoversch-Münden, Werraweg 1, Deutschland

    Germaine Linnemann (Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin) (Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin)

  17. Institut für physiologische Botanik der Universität, Uppsala, Schweden

    Elias Melin

  18. Pflanzenphysiologisches Institut, Universität Göttingen, Deutschland

    Helmut Metzner

  19. Agrikulturchemisches Institut, Universität Jena, Philosophenweg 14, Deutschland

    G. Michael

  20. Botanisches Institut, Universität Marburg a. d. Lahn, Deutschland

    André Pirson

  21. Division of Food Preservation and Transport, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Homebush, Australia

    R. N. Robertson

  22. Agricultural Research Council Radiobiological Laboratory, Grove, Wantage, Berkshire, Great Britain

    R. Scott Russell M. A., M. Sc., Ph. D. (Director) (Director)

  23. Agrikulturchemischen Instituts, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Gießen, Braugasse 7, Deutschland

    Karl Scharrer (Direktor) (Direktor)

  24. Göttingen, Herzbergerstr. 42, Deutschland

    Th. Schmucker (Universitätsprofessor) (Universitätsprofessor)

  25. Pharmakognostisches Institut, Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170a, Eingang Nußallee, Deutschland

    Maximilian Steiner (ord. Professor) (ord. Professor)

  26. Institute of Plant Physiology, Royal Agricultural College, Uppsala, Sweden

    Göran Stenlid

  27. University of Birmingham, 21, Elsley Road, Tilehurst, Reading, Berks, Great Britain

    Walter Stiles (Emeritus Professor of Botany) (Emeritus Professor of Botany)

  28. Statens skogsforskningsinstitut, Stockholm 51, Sweden

    Carl Olof Tamm

  29. Kungl. Lantbrukshögskolan, Uppsala 7, Sweden

    Lambert Wiklander

  30. Botanischen Institutes, Technischen Hochschule München, Freising-Weihenstephan bei München, Deutschland

    Hans v. Witsch (Direktor) (Direktor)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1958 Springer-Verlag oHG. Berlin . Göttingen . Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Russell, R.S. (1958). Tracer methods with isotopes. In: Adriani, M.J., et al. Die Mineralische Ernährung der Pflanze / Mineral Nutrition of Plants. Handbuch der Pflanzenphysiologie / Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, vol 4. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-94729-2_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-94729-2_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-94730-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-94729-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation