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Critical Levels of Soil‐ and Nutrient‐Solution Calcium for Vegetative Growth and Fruit Development of Florunner Peanuts
Author(s) -
Wolt J. D.,
Adams Fred
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1979.03615995004300060020x
Subject(s) - vegetative reproduction , nutrient , loam , arachis hypogaea , horticulture , agronomy , greenhouse , biology , fructification , point of delivery , dns root zone , soil water , botany , ecology , irrigation
The separate effects of rooting‐ and fruiting‐zone Ca upon vegetative growth and fruit yield of ‘Florunner’ peanuts ( Arachis hypogaea L.) were investigated in nutrient‐solution experiments where rooting and fruiting media were segregated. At low levels of rooting‐zone Ca, both vegetative and fruit growth were influenced by rooting‐ and fruiting‐zone Ca acting in concert. As root zone Ca was increased above the “critical” level for maximum vegetative growth, the plant changed from being almost fruitless to a well‐fruited plant. Results of nutrient‐solution studies in the growth chamber were verified in a greenhouse soil experiment using surface soil of a Dothan loamy sand (Plinthic Paleudult). Composite results from soil and nutrient‐solution experiments identified three separate “critical” solution Ca levels. Expressed as the activity ratio of Ca/total‐cations, the levels were: 0.10 for vegetative growth, 0.15 for flower fertility or fruit load, and 0.25 for pod fill. Substituting K for Mg in solution caused a lowering of the “critical” Ca levels.