Department of Botany, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, 511 502, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Phosphorus deficiency effects on the growth, carbohydrate and nitrogen fractions, and mineral (P, Na, K, and Ca) contents were studied in 30 days old peanut plants. P deficient plants showed characteristic morphological symptoms such as decreased sho6t length, number of leaves and increased root length. Reduced levels of total protein and soluble nitrogen fractions were observed in stem, foliage and roots of P deficient plants. Higher amounts of starch and total sugars were found in all the three component parts of the plant under P deficiency. Phosphorus starvation also decreased the levels of total P, K, and Ca and increased the levels of Na.
