The Effect of pH and Bicarbonate Ions on the Uptake of Salts by Disks of Red Beet

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Abstract
The uptake of potassium chloride by disks of beetroot in solutions at different pH values has been followed over periods of several days.It was found that, as the pH was raised from approximately 6 to 9 the rate of uptake of potassium from 0.0024 M. potassium chloride increased, and there was a corresponding increase in the amount of potassium held by the disks at satura tion. Both the rate of uptake and the final content of potassium in disks kept in solutions at pH 8.5 were frequently double those at pH 6.The rate of uptake of chloride ions was only slightly affected by the pH value of the medium. The final chloride content was approximately the same in disks kept at different pH values.The above ‘pH effect’ on potassium uptake has been shown to be related to the uptake of bicarbonate ions present in the alkaline solution; the additional potassium ions accumulated accompanying the bicarbonate anions taken up.The bicarbonate ions accumulated are converted primarily to malic acid.

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