Effect of scandium on germination and growth of komatsuna

Among rare earth elements, scandium Sc with the smallest ionic radius, lanthanum La with the largest ionic radius, and gadolinium Gd with an ionic radius near the middle were selected, and the effects of these rare earth elements on the germination and growth of Komatsuna seeds for three days after sowing were investigated. ScCl3･6H2O, GdCl3･6H2O, and LaCl3･7H2O were used as sources of Sc, Gd, and La, respectively. The degree of germination and growth in the test water containing different concentrations of Sc, Gd, and La and the control (ion-exchanged water) were compared. As a result, no obvious significance to germination by addition of rare earth elements was observed, and no difference in the degree of germination depending on the type of rare earth elements and the concentration of test water was observed. On the other hand, the growth enhancement by the addition of rare earth elements was observed for Sc.