What Is a Calcium Agent?
A calcium agent is used to supplement calcium in crops to prevent deficiencies of calcium, an essential nutrient for crop growth.
In the agricultural field, calcium strengthens the cellular tissue of plant bodies and is important for tissue building. In addition, it neutralizes soil acidification and adjusts the pH value to an appropriate level. Calcium is considered a vital medium-weight element for crop growth, ranking after phosphoric acid and potassium.
When crops are deficient in calcium, physiological disorders such as core rot and deformed fruit occur. The application of calcium agents to crops can prevent such physiological disorders.
Uses of Calcium Agents
Calcium agents are mixed into the soil or sprayed on foliar surfaces before planting to prevent crop calcium deficiency.
The four main purposes of calcium agents are:
1. Prevention of Physiological Disorders
Calcium agents on crops can prevent physiological disorders caused by calcium deficiency in fruit, leaf, and root crops, such as rotten or deformed fruit, core rot, chip burn, and blotchiness.
During periods of severe weather conditions, such as high temperatures and dryness, physiological disorders are more likely to occur. As a result, it is advisable to apply more frequently. In addition, since core rot and chip burn are often not visible until the contents are cut after harvest, it is effective to apply them early in the season as a preventive measure.
2. Improvement of Crop Quality
Calcium agents can improve the longevity of fruits and leafy vegetables, promote the growth of legumes and other crops, and increase crop yields. This is because calcium strengthens cellular tissue and makes crops grow stronger.
3. Prevention of Pests and Diseases
The use of calcium agents on crops has the effect of preventing diseases and pests. Calcium agents strengthen plant cells, making them more resistant to disease and less susceptible to insects.
4. Promotion of Root Growth
Calcium agents promote the growth of plant roots. When plant roots develop, they can absorb more water and fertilizer, which promotes overall plant growth.
Improved root development also reduces the risk of plants falling over in the wind.
Features of Calcium Agents
Pros
- Can be used as a foliar spray, allowing it to be applied when you want, either after calcium deficiency has occurred or during severe weather conditions such as high temperatures or dryness.
- Prevention of pests and diseases is possible without pesticides.
- Some products can be mixed with pesticides, leading to labor savings.
Cons
- It is necessary to consider whether the results are worth its high cost.
- Too much calcium agents can hinder the absorption of trace elements such as manganese and zinc.
Types of Calcium Agents
Calcium agents can be divided into the following types according to their form:
1. Solid Form Calcium Agents
Solid calcium agents come in powder and granular forms. Solid calcium agents are sprayed or mixed into the soil before planting crops to cause calcium absorption from the plants’ roots.
Since calcium can be absorbed from the early stages of growth, they are effective in preventing physiological disorders and promoting root growth in the early stages of growth.
2. Liquid Calcium Agents
Liquid calcium agents are diluted with water and sprayed on the foliar surface of crops. Since it is sprayed on the foliar surface for absorption, it is important to allow the crop to grow to a certain extent before using it.
Compared to solid calcium agents, this product is absorbed more quickly by crops, making it effective for fertilizer application and for dealing with calcium deficiency symptoms. In addition, some can be mixed in with pesticide sprays, leading to labor savings.
Other Information on Calcium Agents
Factors Causing Calcium Deficiency
Crops can be calcium deficient for reasons other than insufficient calcium content in the soil. That is when the soil is too dry. Calcium and other fertilizers dissolve in soil moisture and are absorbed by the roots into the plant.
Therefore, if there is little or no moisture in the soil, calcium deficiency may occur because the calcium content cannot be absorbed. Also, if the roots of the plant are burned by strong fertilizers (which make it difficult for the roots to absorb water and nutrients) or if the roots are damaged by insects, etc., the roots may not be able to absorb calcium and a calcium deficiency may occur.
In such cases, foliar spraying with liquid calcium agents is effective in supplying calcium.