Article

Samples of both Cynara scolymus and the relevant agricultural soil, taken along 7 different and successive stages of their growth cycle, have been submitted to AES/ICP, INAA, FRX and Kjeldahl elementary analysis. The results show that of27 analysed elements the plant accumulates 4 (N, Na, P and W), rejects 2 I elements (B, Mg, Ca, Se, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Rb, Sr, Cs, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Hf, Ta and Th), and accumulates or rejects 2 other (K and Br) depending on developmental stage. Comparisons with similar studi es carri ed out on Capsicum annuum, the pepper plant, show that the "compositional plant behaviour" related to that of its soil is common to both plants as regards 21 out of the 27 studi ed elements (N, Mg, P, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sr, Cs, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Hf, Ta and Th), while it differs by only 6 elements (B, Na, K, Co, Br and W). We may conclude that, for most ofthe analyzed elements (21 out of27), both plants accumulate or reject them in the same way, the same non-metals are accumulated and the same metals are rejected in both plants. Moreover, the "rooted plant" is the most physiologically active stage. Such results may be looked at as an example of ecophysiological similarity within the vegetalliving matter, in spite of its morphological and taxonomical diversity.