Calcium, an often overlooked and underestimated element in plant nutrition, is one of the most important factors in plant growth. Typically, a farmer’s focus is on the primary three: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. As more and more research is performed, calcium may even be more important than the standard NPK.
What does calcium do for the plant?
Calcium has multiple roles and functions in the plant. The first thing it is responsible for is creating cell walls. Cell walls are essential for the development of plant tissue, contributing to the structure of cells and the upholding of physical barriers against pathogens. In order for calcium to successfully uphold cell walls, a sufficient amount must be available to the plant.
Research performed by The Sainsbury Laboratory states, “It has been known for many years that calcium determines the rigidity of the cell wall… In addition to cell walls, Ca2+ also stabilizes cell membranes through the interaction with phospholipids. A low calcium content therefore weakens the cell wall…” (Thor, 2019).
External applications of calcium have shown to increase plant resistance against pathogens. In addition, calcium has also been reported to fight against cell wall-degrading enzymes that have been produced by fungi and bacteria. This in turn affects a plants ability to fight off disease and other ailments.
The second role calcium has is in cation exchange in soil. Calcium will bind to nutrients like nitrogen and transport it directly to the plant. This is why when applying liquid calcium to fields, it’s normal to see an increase in NPK during soil reports despite no direct nitrogen being added.
Research has shown that, “Calcium also plays a role in the plant very similar to a hormone in the regulation of various cell functions. One such function is in the regulation of the protein pump that regulates the uptake and movement of nutrients into the root and throughout cells within the plant. This process is called facilitated diffusion and is the means by which the majority of all nutrients are taken into the plant” (A&L Canada Laboratories, Inc., 2013).
Identifying calcium deficiency in plants
There are multiple signs to look for in calcium deficient plants. These can usually be detected on the upper, younger leaves, and on the overall plant growth.
Some common symptoms are:
- Slight yellowing
- Tips of leaves will turn brown and die
- Crinkled leaves
- Curled tips
- Young leaves will turn a very dark green color
“Deficiency symptoms are observed (a) in young expanding leaves, such as in ‘tipburn’ of leafy vegetables, (b) in tissues fed principally by the phloem rather than the xylem, such as in ‘blossom end rot’ of watermelon, pepper and tomato fruit, ‘bitter pit’ of apples and ‘empty pod’ in peanut. They occur because Ca cannot be mobilized from older tissues and redistributed via the phloem. This forces the developing tissues to rely on the immediate supply of Ca in the xylem, which is dependent on transpiration” (White & Broadley, 2003).
Correcting calcium deficiency
Bio-activated liquid calcium is a very efficient method to correct calcium deficiency. The difference between regular liquid calcium and bio-activated calcium is that bio-activated liquid calcium has been proven to neutralize pH.
Base saturation is also important to understand when trying to balance pH and increase plant levels. Optimal levels for base saturation are 65-75% calcium, 15% magnesium, 2-4% potassium, and about 10-15% hydrogen. It is at these levels that soil pH will be balanced right around 7.0. At balanced levels the cation exchange in the soil is at its most efficient.
Traditionally, farmers and ranchers have used lime to affect their pH and base saturation. The problem with lime is that it takes 8-12 months to break down, during which time ~80% of its nutrients are lost. In other words, it is a very ineffective way to increase plant levels.
In contrast, 95% of foliar liquid fertilizers make it into the plant. “We apply fertilizer nutrient materials to the above ground growing portion of the plant. We have seen that materials are absorbed by the plant and move rather freely in the plant. The amounts may at first seem relatively small, but to offset this handicap, the efficiency is high. In fact, this is the most efficient method of applying fertilizer to the plants that we have yet discovered.”
Pro-Cal Bio-Activated Liquid Calcium:
Pro-Cal provides a reliable and effective source of calcium to the soil, compared to ag-lime, but in a more precise, fast-acting manner.
Pro-Cal is the first step to treating any field. Before fertilizer is applied or seed is planted, it is important to prepare the soil. 95% of soil naturally has a low soil pH. Low pH leads to lost fertilizer, bound up nutrients, slowed growth, and dramatically decreased or lack of production. By raising soil pH you are ensuring that your plant gets the most out of the soil. Pro-Cal raises pH immediately and maintains a neutral state to ensure many growing seasons of the best production and efficient soil.
Pro-Cal is less expensive and more effective than lime because it:
- Neutralizes soil acidity and balances pH
- Increases movement of NPK into the plant
- Aerates the soil reducing compaction
- Assists plant production of proteins
- Improves effectiveness and efficiency of fertilizers
- Promotes root development
- Increases water penetration and improves healthy soil drainage
- Strengthens cell wall structure in plants
- Improves the efficiency of favorable soil bacteria
- Can be used with any sprayer
- Is livestock safe
- Has up to 2-4 year soil life
Pro-Cal can be applied through standard ground or aerial application equipment, and through standard irrigation or fertigation systems.
Pro-Cal may be mixed with most herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and liquid fertilizers. Pro-Cal must be diluted with water for application.
Advanced-Cal Bio-Activated Liquid Calcium:
Advanced-Cal offers a unique blend of liquid calcium for neutralizing soil acidity, and one of the AgriTec’s leading soil treatments to offer a well-rounded product that will boost soil nutrition and overall plant health and growth. Advanced-Cal is a blend of AgriTec’s Pro-Cal and Bio-Act which allows for a one pass soil treatment. This includes amino acids, humic acid, root growth stimulators, germinators, and seed starters.
Additionally, Advanced-Cal contains 52 added micronutrients and minerals, such as boron, manganese, iron, sulfur, and much more, while also adding a high carbon energy source of nutrients to the soil. On top of that, Advanced-Cal also contains humic acid to provide organic matter to the soil. This combination drastically increases plant growth by speeding up photosynthesis and allowing the plant to get the nutrients it needs.
Benefits of Advanced-Cal:
- Neutralizes soil acidity and balances pH
- Increases movement of NPK into the plant
- Soil aerator which reduces compaction
- Assists plant production of proteins
- Improves effectiveness and efficiency of fertilizers
- Promotes root development
- Increases water penetration and improves healthy soil drainage
- Strengthens cell wall structure in plants
- Improves the efficiency of favorable soil bacteria
- One pass soil treatment
- Contains amino acids, humic acid, root growth stimulators, germinators, and seed starters
- Contains 52 micronutrients and minerals
- Provides organic matter to the soil
- Increase photosynthesis
Sources:
Thor, K. (2019, April 25). Calcium—Nutrient and Messenger. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2019.00440/full#:%7E:text=Calcium%20is%20an%20essential%20element%20in%20plants.%20It,and%20the%20upholding%20of%20physical%20barriers%20against%20pathogens.
Calcium Nutrition in Plants. (2013, November). A&L Canada Laboratories Inc. https://www.alcanada.com/pdf/Tech_Bulletins/Nutrition/Plant_Nutrition/427-Calcium_Nutrition_in_Plants.pdf
White PJ, Broadley MR. Calcium in plants. Ann Bot. 2003 Oct;92(4):487-511. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcg164. Epub 2003 Aug 21. PMID: 12933363; PMCID: PMC4243668.
