Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence for rapid potassium, calcium, and chloride diagnosis in barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Doriru) leaf samples were collected from a fi eld comprising three plots, plot F chemical fertilizer treated, plot S rece iving sewage sludge and sawdust mixed compost, and plot H receiving sewage sludge and rice husk mixed compost. Relative concentrations of selected ele ments, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and chloride (C1) of young, mature, and old barley leaves were determined by microscopic energy dispersing X-ray f luorescence (EDXRF). The objective of this investigation was to verify the applicability of EDXRF for rapid nutrient element diagnosis of plants. Typi cally whole leaves were washed in deionized-distilled water and dried by ir oning for analysis. Intact dried barley leaf sample irradiation was accompl ished with X-rays obtained from an X-ray tube focused on an area <100 mu m of the respective sample specimen surface. The EDXRF provided sufficient se nsitivity for relative concentrations of K, Ca, and Cl. Element content dat a of all the elements investigated, specifically K, resulted in adequate pl ant nutrient element values to diagnose K insufficiency in barley leaves ta ken from plants in the sewage sludge receiving plots. Potassium was more de nsely accumulated in the new leaf than in mature and old leaves in case of plants from the S and H plots. In contrast, such K accumulation was more de nse in old and mature leaves than young leaves in case of plants from the F plot. However, Cl and Ca coupling in barley leaves from all of the F, S, a nd H plots had shown the similar pattern of distribution and followed the o rder: old > mature > young. Therefore, EDXRF can be an easy, rapid, and pra ctical method for diagnosing the elemental content of plant tissues and the reby help to aid plant growth and development through timely supplements of the required element(s).