Calcium is one of the main constitutes of cell walls in plants. When it is in short supply, the structure of the cells weaken, resulting in various disorders affecting a wide range of fruit and vegetable crops.

A common form of calcium deficiency in strawberries is ‘tip burn’, which appears as browning and crinkling at the edge of young leaves. Severe deficiency will cause death of the growing point, stunted roots and brown lesions on leaf stalks.  It is well documented that the calcium level in fruit drops as maturity is reached.  Calcium is an important constituent in cell walls and needs to be in sufficient supply to ensure the fruit is firm enough to give optimum storage life. This is particularly important for fruit which are destined for export markets.

Disorders in pears include:

• Cork Spot
• Superficial Scald

These problems often occur during periods of new growth or in hot, dry periods when the movement of calcium to the fruit is insufficient despite adequate soil supply. It is important that calcium levels are maintained for maximum output and profit margin achievement.

Calcium deficiency in apples is the major cause of numerous problems, disorders include:

• Watercore
• Lenticel Blotch Pit
• Bitter Pit
• Physiological Breakdown
• Low calcium levels can also lead to breakdown in the store and make fruit unfit for long-term cold storage

Calcium deficiency in lettuce, endive, brassicas, celery & chicory

• Low calcium status can result in leaf cupping, tip burn, collapse of root tips and stems, and the blackening of young leaves.
• These symptoms can affect 100% of the crop in the case of lettuce which is very susceptible.
• Internal Browning in brussels sprouts and Blackheart in celery and chicory due to localised calcium deficiency, can lead to rejection of the crop by processors.
• Calcium is key to the maintenance of plant firmness which is essential in transport and long shelf life.
• Research with lettuce has indicated that the higher the level of calcium in the leaf, the greater the plants’ resistance of Botrytis cinerea

Calcium deficiency in potatoes

Calcium is important in helping to reduce mechanical damage associated with lifting and storing potatoes. It is essential for strengthening cell walls and membranes, activates
enzyme systems and stimulates the plants natural resistance to disease.
Calcium deficiency in potatoes can lead to:

• Weakening of cell walls often leading to breakdown in store
• Increased susceptibility to blight and other fungal diseases
• Increased incidence of Internal Rust Spot and Hollow Heart
  

  Calcium deficiency in grape leaves, with necrosis advancing toward centre of leaf and dark brown pimples on shoot bark

Calcium deficiency in grapes

Stem necrosis is a physiological condition associated with a low calcium and magnesium status. Dead tissue caused by this disorder often becomes infected with Botrytis cinerea, which may then spread to healthy berries. Stem necrosis is especially prominent in table grapes.

Disorders in Stone Fruit include:

• Skin cracking or splitting at fruit maturity can be a major cause of crop loss.
• High rainfall, rapid growth and low calcium status all contribute to this problem

In tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and melons low calcium status results in:

• Leaf cupping in seedlings
• Stunting due to reduced tip growth
• Death of root tips
• Blossom end rot

Blossom end rot is a major cause of loss of marketable produce and can have a direct impact on profitability. It is caused by calcium deficiency in the tissue around the blossom end of the fruit. It occurs normally under conditions of water stress or during periods of rapid growth, when calcium transport to low transpiring fruit organs can be impaired. Calcium deficiency does most damage early in the development stage.

Blossom end rot of tomato, caused by calcium deficiency

Calcium deficiency in other crops

Cotton:  Square shedding
Citrus: Premature fruit abortion
Walnuts, Pistachios and Almonds:  Dropping of immature nuts
Kiwi Fruit: Blossom end rot
Avocados: Pulp Spot
Onions & Garlic:  Young leaf die back
Peas, French Beans, Runner Beans & Soya Beans:  Tissue collapse
Ornamentals: Marginal bract necrosis in poinsettia’s, cutting establishment in African Violets, node splitting in Carnations

OMEX CalMax protects against
a wide range of disorders related to calcium deficiency.

OMEX CalMax for perfect quality fruit & veg

OMEX CalMax:

• Improves firmness in all fruit and vegetables giving increased shelf life
• Enhances resistance to crop diseases
• Optimises yield and quality

For perfect quality fruit & vegetables use:
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