Effect of sodium iodide on growth and chemical composition of lucerne and ryegrass

Growth of lucerne was inhibited by sodium iodide even more than that of ryegrass above a concentration equivalent to 1µg cm^–3 of iodine in an applied solution. In sand-culture the extent to which the iodide depressed yield of dry matter depended on the type of nutrient-solution used to stimulate and maintain vigorous growth. In contrast, where the plants were grown in soil the depression was independent of the nutrient-solution used. This difference between solutions is a reflection of the extent to which growing plants can modify pH in the root-zone of a sandy unbuffered substrate and leads to a conclusion that acidity greatly enhances the toxic effect of the iodine. There are reasons for believing that in sunlight iodine may be lost by volatilization even from living plant-tissue. The implication of these findings is discussed in relation to using either iodized fertilizers or iodized salt-blocks in order to maintain iodine in pastoral systems at levels satisfactory for animal-health.