ROLE OF CALCIUM IN APPLES
INTRODUCTION
Calcium is a secondary plant nutrient, which is required by plants for healthy growth. Calcium is not a primary nutrient like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but it is essential for healthy plant growth. It helps in formation of new plant tissue, such as shoot tips, root tips and new leaves. Calcium is the most important nutrient for post harvest quality of the fruits. Calcium acts as glue between cell walls, so it is responsible for holding together the cell walls of the plant. Fruit with low calcium levels at harvest are soft and of extremely poor quality. Without adequate amounts of calcium, apple plants experience number of plant disorders viz. Bitter Pit, Cork Spot, poor storability etc.
KEY ROLE OF CALCIUM
• Strengthen Cell Wall Structure.
• Regulates enzymes and Hormonal Processes.
• Participates in plant cell elongation.
• Calcium boosts fruit quality.
• It delays the softening of the fruit.
• Regulates opening of stomata, prevent the plants from stress during drought.
• It helps the plants against diseases.
• Calcium helps in producing plant tissues.
• Ensures normal root system development.
• Helps in fruit storability.
• Also helps in pH adjustments.
