ISHS Acta Horticulturae 145: Symposium on the Use of Fertilizers in Protected Vegetable Production
STUDY ON THE CALCIUM UPTAKE DYNAMIC BY TOMATO FRUITS AND BLOSSOM-END ROT CONTROL |
| Author: | J. Borkowski |
| Abstract:
Ivestigations were carried out at the spring time during three years /1979–1981/. Tomato plants were grown in containers, used in tray-container method. Tomato fruits were weighted, measured, cut, dryed and analized for calcium content. The smallest fruits /10 days old/ had the highest content of dry matter /8.7%/. During the growth time the per cent of dry matter in fruits decreased, dropped down up to 5.5% in the oldest fruits /65 days/. The highest content of calcium in fresh matter was in the smallest and the youngest fruits /average 317 mg Ca/kg f.m./. A little lower content of calcium in fresh matter had fruits 15 and 65 days old. The lowest level of calcium contained fruits 35 days old /244 mg Ca/kg f.m./. These results suggested that calcium uptake by tomato fruits is permaent to ripening, but during rapid growth calcium uptake can be lower than the fruit growth. In this time calcium content of tomato fruit decreased. Probably at this stage of development fruits have the highest susceptibility to blossom-end rot. The blossom-end rot appearance can be controled by sprays of fruits with 0.5% solution of calcium chloride /CaCl2 x 2H20/ or calcium nitrogen. The minimum four sprays every 3–5 days are necessary in order to obtain significant results. Calcium sprays decreased number of blossom-end rotted fruits about six times and increased the calcium content of the fruits sometimes even two times. Calcium do not move from leaves to fruits. | |
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