Making the most of Calcium (Ca) as a soil plant nutrient.
Calcium is a secondary nutrient and is taken up by the plant as Ca2? it is the fifth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and is a vital nutrient for optimal plant and animal growth. In spite of this, it is often overlooked and undervalued by both agriculturalist and farmers alike. A number of health and growth problems, such as blossom-end rot, in intensive crop production can be attributed to Ca-deficiency.
Functions of Ca
Increasing Soil-Ca levels
There are four common sources of Ca that can be used to be applied to soil to improve soil pH and Ca-levels
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While lime is good for reducing soil acidity, supplementary soluble Ca is often required to meet the immediate crop and soil Ca requirements that is largely immediately insoluble. Gypsum is good for treating sodic soils and sub-soil acidity. It is more soluble than lime, but it is still relatively insoluble. Should a soil or crop require immediate Ca-availability, it may be best to apply the necessary quantities as a soluble Ca source.
The Table below illustrates the solubility of different lime and calcium sources
Consult with a trusted Kynoch Agriculturalist expert before deciding on which Ca salt is needed. This is because the nitrates and chlorides in these Ca salts may actually be undesirable and detrimental to either the soil or crop quality if not applied appropriately.
Source:
Reference: Fertilizer Handbook, 2007. FSSA; Bornman, JJ
Compiled by:
Hugh Smith, 0824411312