Influence of nitrogen and potassium nutrition relations on 137Cs accumulation by perennial legume-cereal grasses on peat-mineral soil

Abstract

   It is established that on the peat-mineral soil the minimum accumulation of ¹³⁷Cs with perennial leguminous grasses is noted at a nitrogen-potassium ratio of 1 : 0.4–0.6. At a ratio of 1 : 0.2–0.3, nitrogen deficiency and an increase in radionuclide concentration in hay are observed due to a decrease in yield. The introduction of high rates of nitrogen fertilizers on a low background of potassium nutrition broadens the N : K ratio, which is accompanied by the formation of a potassium deficiency and a decrease in the discrimination of ¹³⁷Cs with respect to potassium when entering plants. An increase in the accumulation of a radionuclide in the hay is observed at a ratio above 1 : 0.8.