What is Calcium Deficiency in plants?

Within plants calcium (Ca) plays a crucial role in cell wall formation, structural integrity, and various metabolic processes.

Plants deficient in calcium can exhibit a range of symptoms, and growth and productivity can be impacted reducing overall plant size. Weakened cell walls make plants more susceptible to various diseases and pathogens.

With the growing trend for sustainable rainwater capture systems, calcium deficiency is becoming more prevalent. Rainwater is ‘soft water’, low in calcium. The issue can be exacerbated in peat-reduced and peat-free sustainable growing media as less lime is added.

What are the symptoms of Calcium Deficiency?

Leaf necrosis – common symptom is the development of necrotic (dead) tissue at tips and edges of young leaves
Leaf curling – affected leaves curl or distort and may appear smaller than usual.
Leaf abnormalities -leaves may exhibit irregular shapes and develop abnormal growth patterns.
Reduced root growth– stunted development can affect plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients.

Calcium Deficiency in Primula

How should you manage Calcium Deficiency?

Water quality on the nursery has an impact on fertiliser choice. To avoid calcium deficiencies on nurseries reliant on soft irrigation water – such as those with rainwater capture systems or using mains water in soft water areas – growers should consider fertilisers with a high calcium content.

Our great value Universol range offers three Universol Soft Water products for different growth stages.

Universol Soft Water 312R for early crop growth
Universol Soft Water 213R for flowering crops and compact growth
Universol Soft Water 113R to harden off crops in the final growth phase

Meanwhile, our technically advanced Peters Excel range offers two soft water options.

Peters Excel CalMag Grower for healthy growth
Peters Excel CalMag Finisher promoting compact condensed growth

Calcium Deficiency in Poinsettia

Did you know?

Irregular watering practices, especially inconsistent moisture levels, can exacerbate calcium deficiency. Maintain consistent soil moisture to ensure calcium uptake.
Avoid over fertilisation – while adding calcium is essential, excessive use of certain fertilisers (eg, ammonium-based fertilisers in field-grown crops) can lead to calcium deficiency by interfering with calcium uptake. Balance nutrient inputs to avoid this issue.