An Inhibitor of Salt Absorption in the Root Tissues of Red Beet

The absorption of manganese ions by discs of beet-root tissueoccurs in two phases. Evidence suggests that the first is physicalin nature, the second physiological. The interval between thetwo phases becomes longer as the thickness of the discs is increasedand reasons are given for attributing this to the presence ofan inhibitor of the physiological absorption process. Aqueous extracts of beet-root contain an inhibitor of ion absorptionwhich also delays the germination of mustard and cress seeds.The extract does not affect the respiration rate of beet-roottissue.