What to Do About Calcium Deficiency in Citrus? A Full Analysis of the Latest Solutions

During growth, citrus has a high demand for calcium in addition to a relatively large demand for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. If citrus lacks calcium, it can cause fruit drop and also produce deformed fruit, seriously affecting yield and quality. So what should be done about calcium deficiency in citrus? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction below.

1. The demand for calcium

Calcium is one of the essential minerals for the growth and development of citrus. Generally speaking, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are called the essential elements for crop growth and are often higher than other elements, but for citrus, the demand for calcium is no lower than the demand for phosphorus. Calcium can combine with pectic acid in the fruit to form calcium pectate, which can reduce one of the causes of cell wall decomposition, improve fruit firmness and the toughness of the peel, and reduce fruit cracking in citrus. In addition, calcium can also inhibit the formation of ethylene, delay the aging of citrus fruit, and make citrus easier to store. It also has a variety of physiological functions and can promote cell elongation and root growth.

2. Symptoms of calcium deficiency

Generally, calcium deficiency in citrus can be shown in three aspects, namely the leaves, the root system and the fruit. When leaves lack calcium, the tips of new leaves turn yellow, gradually spreading toward the leaf margins, making the leaves small and narrow and elongated. As calcium deficiency becomes more serious, the yellowed area expands, and leaf withering and leaf drop may also occur. When the root system lacks calcium, root growth is thin and weak with fewer fibrous roots, and in severe cases the roots turn black and are prone to rot. When the fruit lacks calcium, the fruit is small in the early stage and then develops, and in the later stage fruit cracking occurs, and the fruit becomes soft and unsuitable for storage.

3. Symptoms of calcium deficiency

First of all, the calcium ion content in the soil is relatively low, especially on acidic soil, where calcium deficiency is very likely to occur. In addition, low organic matter content in the soil leads to relatively serious loss of calcium ions. Applying large amounts of acidic chemical fertilizers during fertilization will accelerate the loss of calcium, or applying too much nitrogen fertilizer during fertilization will inhibit the root system's absorption of calcium, causing calcium deficiency in the plant. In addition, when the soil is waterlogged or compacted, the calcium content of the soil will decrease, and the root system's absorption of it will also be hindered.

4. Calcium supplementation measures

For relatively acidic soil, when preparing the land and applying fertilizer, an appropriate amount of lime powder or plant ash can be mixed into the base fertilizer to regulate the pH. In drought, water promptly to keep the soil moist and improve the root system's absorption of calcium ions. When fertilizing, do so reasonably and scientifically, reduce the excessive application of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers, reduce the antagonism between elements, and improve the root system's absorption of calcium. In the later stage, if the plant lacks calcium, calcium can be supplemented through foliar spraying.

The above is an introduction to what to do about calcium deficiency in citrus. I hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.