The Importance of Calcium in Plants

Calcium is taken up by plants as Ca +2 ion through the root tips. Calcium ions are transported to all plant tissues through xylem pipes due to transpiration.

Calcium is effective in the development of the tip points of newly developing cell tissues and the normal formation of roots and flowers. Calcium is found within the cell wall. It is the building block of the cell wall.

Calcium is immovable within the plant. In other words, the calcium previously taken into the plant or in the leaves does not transfer to the fruit and newly formed leaves, and the first signs of deficiency show with the drying of the leaf tips or curling upwards. Death at the shoot tips and cessation of growth of dead tissue, discoloration at the fruit tips, and brown-black rot (blossom end rot) is observed in the later period. For example, bitter spot on apples, blossom end rot on tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and darkening on the inside of celery are symptoms that occur as a result of calcium deficiency.

To eliminate calcium deficiency, it is necessary to apply Calcium Nitrate fertilizer regularly, at every irrigation if necessary, or spraying calcium on the fruit 3-4 times is effective.

• It is found between cells. It strengthens the cell wall.
• It helps cell growth and extension.
• It is effective in the permeability of the cell membrane.
• It is necessary for normal flowering and root development.
• It helps the intake of nitrates.
• It increases the plant's resistance to diseases, drought and stress.

• The first deficiency is seen in young leaves and shoot tips. Young leaf edges dry out and die. Shoot tip growth stops and drying is observed at the shoot tips.
  • Tomatoes, peppers and eggplant = Tip blight (blossom end rot)
  • Apple, pear = Fungal spot, bitter spot
  • Sugar beet = Tip blight
  • Celery = Darkening inside the fruit
  • Brussels sprouts = browning inside the fruit
• Plant tissue and fruits are soft, shelf and storage life is short.
• Root development weakens and the durability of the roots decreases.
• The plant's resistance to diseases and pests decreases.

• Feeding with high amounts of ammonium (NH 4 ) nitrogen.
• Lack of water or high salt concentration in the soil.
• Conditions such as low temperature and inadequate ventilation that prevent new root formation.
• Soils with low pH.
• Organic soils or soils to which large amounts of organic matter have been added.
• Giving too much potassium or magnesium with fertilizer.