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Critical Levels of Soil- and Nutrient-Solution Calcium for Vegetative Growth and Fruit Development of Florunner Peanuts¹

ABSTRACT

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.

¹ Contribution from Agronomy & Soils Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36830.

² Former Research Assistant and Professor of Soils, respectively; senior author is now Assistant Professor of Plant & Soil Science, Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37901.

Received for publication April 30, 1979. Accepted for publication July 16, 1979.