Influence of Calcium Foliar Fertilization on Plant Growth, Nutrient Concentrations, and Fruit Quality of Papaya

Abstract

<jats:p>Calcium (Ca) is a major plant nutrient that affects cell wall and plasma membrane formation and plays a key role in plant growth, biomass production, and function. Ca can be used to decrease fruit decay and increase firmness and shelf life. Different sources and concentrations of foliar-applied Ca were examined for the effects on nutrient concentration and growth of ‘Eksotika II’ papaya (<jats:italic>Carica papaya</jats:italic>) plants. Papaya seedlings were established in pots and irrigated with a standard nutrient solution in a net house. Four preharvest sprays were applied as foliar applications with three different sources of Ca {calcium chloride [CaCl<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>], calcium nitrate [Ca(NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>)<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>], and calcium propionate [Ca(C<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>H<jats:sub>5</jats:sub>COO)<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>]} at four concentrations (0, 60, 120, and 180 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>). Plant Ca concentration was unaffected by the different Ca sources. However, increased Ca concentration applied to the leaves enhanced plant accumulation of phosphorous and Ca in the plant, but decreased potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in the tissues. Plants that received Ca at 180 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> had greater height and diameter than control plants. In a field trial with mature trees, preharvest applications of Ca (0, 4000, and 5400 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>) in the form of CaCl<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> showed that increasing concentrations improved fruit Ca concentration, texture, and flavor; and decreased weight loss, Mg content, and apparent disease incidence of the fruit.</jats:p>

Ultrastructure of Cells and Microanalysis in Malus domestica Borkh. ‘Szampion’ Fruit in Relation to Varied Calcium Foliar Feeding

“…In contrast, Qiu et al [ 84 ] did not find the increase in Ca concentrations in ‘Kapoho Solo’ papayas grown in Hawaii after application of CaCl 2 sprays. Similarly, Madani et al [ 85 ] did not report changes in calcium concentrations induced by preharvest foliar sprays with three different sources of Ca (CaCl 2 , Ca(NO 3 ) 2 , and Ca(C 2 H 5 COO) 2 ) at four concentrations: 0, 60, 120, and 180 mg per litre.…”

Effect of calcium fertilization on silver vase bromeliad (Aechmea fasciata)

“…Data for leaf width and number of leaves ( Figures 1C and 1D) were not significant (p > 0.05) with increasing calcium concentration in silver vase bromeliad cultivation. Calcium is an important plant nutrient that affects the formation of cell membrane and plasma membrane and plays a fundamental role in plant growth, biomass production and function (Madani et al, 2015), which might explain the increase on mass production of silver vase bromeliad. In vitro cultivated bromeliads of Vriesea genus had significantly increase in fresh and dry masses as the calcium in solutions augmented; as Ca facilitated the absorption of other nutrients such N, K, Zn, Mn, and B resulting on better nutritional status consequently enhancing plant growth (Aranda-Perez et al, 2009).…”

Leaf and Fruit Nutrient Concentration in Rojo Brillante Persimmon Grown under Conventional and Organic Management, and Its Correlation with Fruit Quality Parameters

“…From an agronomic point of view, the relation between elements can provide more information about crop nutritional status than the concentrations of individual nutrients [54]. Moreover, the ratio among Ca, K, and Mg is often analyzed because it has been reported that both K and Mg can impede Ca accumulation in some fruit species [54,55]. Therefore, an imbalance between these elements has been related to some flesh disorders developing in persimmon [16].…”

“…In the apical area, positive correlations between Ca and color and TSS were found, while Mg correlated with color, firmness, ST, and TSS. Ca is most important in physiological functions, such as cell division, senescence, and the formation of cell membranes, and its deficiency can negatively affect fruit quality by generating less firmness and affecting its conservation capacity [36,55]. In persimmon fruit, flesh firmness is an important quality parameter at harvest time because it determines postharvest management.…”