University of Sussex
Browse
Reidinger,_Ramsey_&_Hartley,_NP_re-submission_no_line#.pdf (337.27 kB)

Rapid and accurate analyses of silicon and phosphorus in plants using a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer

Download (337.27 kB)
Version 2 2023-06-15, 13:59
Version 1 2023-06-15, 13:53
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-15, 13:59 authored by Stefan Reidinger, Michael Ramsey, Susan Hartley
The elemental analysis of plant material is a frequently employed tool across biological disciplines, yet accurate, convenient and economical methods for the determination of some important elements are currently lacking. For instance, digestion-based techniques are often hazardous and time-consuming and, particularly in the case of silicon (Si), can suffer from low accuracy due to incomplete solubilisation and potential volatilization, whilst other methods may require large, expensive specialised equipment. Here, we present a rapid, safe and accurate procedure for the simultaneous, non-consumptive analysis of Si and phosphorus (P) in as little as 0.1 g dried and ground plant material using a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (P-XRF). We used certified reference materials from different plant species to test the analytical performance of P-XRF and show that the analysis suffers from very little bias and that the repeatability precision of the measurements is as good as or better than that of other methods. Using this technique we were able to process and analyse 200 ground samples a day, so P-XRF could provide a particularly valuable tool for plant biologists requiring the simultaneous non-consumptive analysis of multiple elements, including those known to be difficult to measure such as Si, in large numbers of samples.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

New Phytologist

ISSN

1469-8137

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Issue

3

Volume

195

Page range

699-706

Department affiliated with

  • Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-10-31

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC