ISHS Acta Horticulturae 594: International Symposium on Foliar Nutrition of Perennial Fruit Plants
REDUCTION OF CALCIUM DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS BY EXOGENOUS APPLICATION OF CALCIUM CHLORIDE SOLUTIONS |
| Authors: | M. Schmitz-Eiberger, R. Haefs, G. Noga |
| Keywords: | calcium chloride, blossom-end rot, cuticular penetration, bitter pit, apple fruit, tomato fruit |
| Abstract:
In this study the application of a formulated aequeous CaCl2 solution to apple (Malus x domestica) trees and tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicon) plants was found to reduce bitter pit of ‘Braeburn’ fruit and blossom - end rot of tomato fruit. Furthermore, the influence of a calcium deficient nutrition on the antioxidative defense system in Lycopersicon lycopersicum leaves was investigated. Trials were performed in the greenhouse employing soilless culture technique. To induce calcium deficiency, calcium content in the nutrition solution was reduced from 100 mg/L to 10 mg/L. Within 6 weeks fruit and leaves developed distinct calcium deficiency symptoms. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, such as Fm and Fv/Fm and chlorophyll content dropped under control level, while the antioxidative capacity increased slightly. Leaf application of formulated CaCl2 compensated the decrease of Fv/Fm and of chlorophyll content. | |
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