Calcium (Ca)
Role in plants
Calcium is essential for cell wall structure, membrane stability, root development, and cellular signalling. It is immobile in plants.
Deficiency symptoms
- Distorted new growth
- Tip burn
- Blossom end rot
- Poor root development
Toxicity symptoms
- Rare
- Induced deficiencies of magnesium, potassium, and micronutrients
Natural sources
- Limestone and chalk
- Gypsum
- Hard irrigation water
Fertiliser sources
- Calcium nitrate
- Calcium chloride (foliar)
- Gypsum
Plant uptake forms