PHYSIOLOGY AND MINERAL NUTRITION HI 



done on factors which influence the organic content of shells. However, 

 Moore (59) reported that shells of peanuts grown on a high nitrogen 

 solution had a slightly higher ether extract and nitrogen content than 

 those grown on a very low nitrogen solution. 



Gynophores 



A deficiency of any of the macro-elements (10) gives a low content 

 of the particular element in the young gynophores. Furthermore, a de- 

 ficiency of calcium or magnesium seems to cause the potassium content 

 to be higher, and conversely. Apparently the level of nitrogen (59) in 

 the nutrient solution influences the amount of the various carbohydrates 

 in this organ. 



Roots 



The data of Killinger et al. (48) do not indicate any consistent strik- 

 ing differences in the mineral coinposition of the roots of plants which had 

 received various fertilizer and sulfur-dusting treatments. However, there 

 seemed to be a gradual decrease in content of some elements of roots when 

 harvested at different dates after planting (table 4) . The results of Moore 

 (59) indicate that a high nitrogen content in the nutrient solution de- 

 creases the starch, sugars and other carbohydrates of the roots. 



Foliage 



The mineral composition of the foliage of peanuts is quite variable 

 as shown in table 4. Some of the variation is probably due to variety dif- 

 ferences, but few comparisons have been made of, varieties grown under 

 the same conditions. Values of peanut hay reported by Collins and Morris 

 (26) diiifer from the values for the more mature hay given in this table. 



Data of table 4 indicate that the mineral composition of the foliage is 

 affected by maturity. This is further substantiated by the results of 

 Burkhart and Page (20) who sampled leaf blades 2, 3 and 5 months after 

 planting and found that the average concentration of calcium, magnesium, 

 phosphate and sulfate increased with maturity, while the potassium con- 

 tent decreased from the first to second sampling, but increased from the 

 second to the third sampling. Other results (20, 61) show that different 

 parts of the foliage vary in mineral composition. Calcium seemed to be 

 highest in the middle and lower leaves, potassium and phosphate in 

 young tissue, magnesium in the more mature tissue, and sulfates in the 

 lower portions of the plant, especially the lower petioles and stems. 



Results by Bledsoe and Harris (10) indicate that the nutrient supply 



