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The role of calcium element

 

Calcium is one of the chemical elements with the symbol Ca, and is one of the macro elements in agriculture. which ranks fifth among all elements of the earth's crust in terms of abundance and ranks third among metals. Calcium metal is soluble in water and acid and produces hydroxide and salt. This element has a vital role in plant and animal life and is present in bones, teeth, eggshells, corals and many soils. This element participates in the form of various compounds in minerals and as a solution in the structure of animals and plants. Important calcium minerals are dolomite, gibbs and apatite.
Calcium compounds include the following:
Calcium oxide, calcium silicide, calcium carbide, calcium carbonate, calcium halides, calcium sulfate, calcium nitrate, calcium sulfide, calcium phosphate, calcium hydride, calcium hydroxide solution, calcium arsenate, calcium chloride, calcium cyclamate, calcium gluconate, calcium hypochlorite, permanganate Calcium manganese, calcium phosphide, calcium stearate and calcium tungstate.

The role of calcium in plants

Calcium is a constant part of all plants and is effective in the alkalinity of the soil and at the same time it is also effective in the growth of plants. Calcium plays an important role in forming the cell wall, cell membrane and their flexibility. It is effective in cell division by maintaining the strength of the cell and the permeability of the membrane, it is also effective in the movement and transfer of sugar in the plant and the formation of capillary roots. Calcium combines with the ions of organic acids, sulfates and phosphates and neutralizes them. It has an effect on enzymes and is involved in the hormonal process. One of the prominent roles of calcium is to influence the firmness and quality of the fruit (storage duration). This element prevents the occurrence of many physiological diseases in products by maintaining the stability of plant cells and increasing tissue strength.
Deficiency of calcium appears in the fruits of young trees with increased concentration of nitrogen and potassium and excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers. Even changes in humidity and water level during the growing season increase the severity of the effects of calcium deficiency.
Calcium is absorbed by the plant in the form of Ca 2 + ion. And it is an important component of the cell wall in the form of calcium pectate. Calcium plays a role in cell growth and division, and due to its deficiency, deformity and shriveling occurs in the leaves. Tears and irregularity are also seen in the margins of the leaves.

Reasons for lack of calcium in plants and lack of absorption in calcareous soils

Lime is calcium carbonate. Calcium deficiency on the plant occurs due to the lack of sufficient conditions for calcium absorption. Factors such as drought and lack of water, low movement of calcium in the plant, excessive consumption of nitrogen and potash fertilizers are effective in the absorption of calcium element.
Drought and lack of water is one of the factors of calcium deficiency. Calcium absorption mainly depends on the transpiration flow, so the more the plant transpire, the more calcium absorption will be. Since plant transpiration decreases in water shortage and drought conditions, calcium absorption also decreases as a result. The calcium element has very little movement inside the plant and in some conditions it may be absorbed by the plant but not transferred well in the plant.
Due to the low mobility of calcium, its transfer is possible only in xylem vessels. For this reason, the first symptoms of its deficiency appear in the young leaves of the plant, such that chlorotic spots and burns appear in the center and margins of the spore leaves, even the end leaves fall off. The growth of the branches is stopped and the tips of the branches become dry and misshapen. The tips of the roots are burnt, the hairy roots are lost and the growth of the root stops. Severe physiological diseases appear in fruits, such as apples. including bitter spot disease (small and soft necrotic spots in the flesh of the fruit that are destroyed before or after harvesting) (cork spots) (creating hard spots in the flesh of the fruit, especially in large fruits and less yield, which is compared to the leaves) the fruit is low), it causes shriveling, suffocation, powdery mildew or rotting of the flower head in watermelon and tomato. Also, with the decrease in the strength of the cells and their walls, the durability and shelf life of the products after harvesting is also greatly reduced, and these complications are aggravated by increasing the concentration and amounts of nitrogen and severe pruning.

Symptoms of calcium deficiency in plants

کمبود کلسیم در گیاه

1) Collection of leaves
2) Cupping of leaves
3) leaf tip drying
4) Malformed fruit and complications such as root rot

Effective factors in reducing calcium absorption

1) High amounts of nitrogen and potassium
2) Acid soils
3) Light and sandy soils

The method of eliminating calcium deficiency

1) Improving soil conditions to make calcium available through controlling soil lime and acidity
2) No excessive use of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers (respecting the balance of nutrients for better absorption of all macro and micro elements)
3) Calcium foliar spraying before flowering, fruit formation and growth and before harvesting

 

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