Mössbauer studies of plant materials. I. duckweed, stocks, soybean and pea

Abstract

Specimens of duckweed, stock (single‐ and double‐flowered), soyabean and pea were isotopically enriched in ⁵⁷Fe by growing in nutrient solutions which contained iron, primarily as the ⁵⁷Fe isotope. Whole duckweed and the separated roots, stems and leaves from the other plants were studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy at 77K. Samples of duckweed and pea were also dried in air and studied at room temperature. All specimens showed the presence of iron in the ferric form and, in addition, the pea leaves indicated the presence of some ferrous iron.

Key words:

• Mössbauer spectroscopy
• iron oxidation state