What are the latest methods for calcium supplementation in grapes?
Calcium is one of the essential major elements in the growth process of grapes, and the demand for calcium is second only to potassium. Once grapes are deficient in calcium, poor fruit set and flower and fruit drop will occur, causing a huge impact on yield. So how should calcium be supplemented to grapes? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction below.
1. Symptoms of calcium deficiency
When grown in an environment with sufficient calcium, the root system of grapes grows very vigorously and has strong absorptive capacity; the leaves also grow dark green and thick, with strong photosynthetic capacity, producing more nutrients, which can help meet the needs of flowering and fruit set; the fruit also expands rapidly, with uniform berry size, and is less prone to infection by diseases, which is conducive to improving yield and quality. With calcium deficiency, however, root growth is weaker, absorptive capacity is weak, leaf chlorophyll content is low, nutrient synthesis is low, the fruit lacks sufficient nutrition, the fruit is small and uneven in size, with flower and fruit drop in the early stage and easy fruit cracking in the later stage.
2. Timing of calcium supplementation
To supplement calcium, you must first know the timing of calcium supplementation. The calcium absorbed by grapes from budding to fruit set accounts for about 40% of the whole year; if calcium is sufficient, its root system sprouts extremely well and flowering and fruit set are good. The calcium absorbed from fruit set to the hard pit stage accounts for about 30% of the whole year; if calcium is sufficient at this time, the fruit skin develops well, cracking will not occur, and disease resistance is also relatively strong. The calcium absorbed from the hard pit stage to the coloring stage accounts for 30% of the whole year; at this time, calcium gives individual berries relatively high quality, can significantly improve yield and quality, and the leaves will not show premature senescence. Therefore, calcium supplementation for grapes should be carried out in these three stages.
3. Calcium supplementation methods
There are three ways to supplement calcium. One is to add an appropriate amount of calcium fertilizer to the base fertilizer, spread it evenly into the base fertilizer, mix it well, and then apply it together when planting; the specific amount should be based on the plant's growth conditions and the calcium content of the soil. The second is root drenching, generally carried out 35-40 days after flower drop, at which time calcium powder with a high absorption and utilization rate by the roots is poured onto the roots to improve transpiration and transport calcium into the fruit. The third is foliar spraying; when the plant is deficient in calcium, dilute the calcium fertilizer with water to make a thin fertilizer solution and spray it on the leaves; its utilization rate is higher than that of root fertilization.
The above is an introduction to how grapes should be supplemented with calcium. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.