¹³⁴Cs in heather seed plants grown with and without mycorrhiza

Experiments were carried out to determine differences between mycorrhized and non-mycorrhized seed plants of heather, Calluna vulgaris(L)Hull, as regards the uptake of 134Cs. In most treatments heather with mycorrhiza had a significantly higher transfer of 134Cs to the shoots than heather without mycorrhiza.

As an average the concentration of 134Cs was 18% higher in the mycorrhized plants than in the non-mycorrhized. Application of 10 kg K/ha reduced the concentration of 134Cs in shoots of heather by 49% as an average. Because of improved growth in the potassium fertilized pots the reduction viewed on the basis of the area was only 33%.

Nitrogen application does not significantly influence the concentration of 134Cs in shoots of heather regardless of mycorrhizal status.