Calcium and Boron |
Deficiency Symptoms |
Emerging leaves appear scorched and distorted and may cup downwards because the leaf margins have failed to expand fully. Mature and older leaves are generally unaffected. With a severe deficiency, flowers can abort, and the growing point may die. Fruits from calcium-deficient plants are smaller and tasteless, and may fail to develop normally at the blossom end. Injury from calcium deficiency can be reduced by regular foliar sprays of calcium nitrate (800 g/100 L). Distortion of newer leaves (in severe cases the growing point dies) and the appearance of a broad yellow border at the margins of the oldest leaves. Young fruit can die or abort; abortion rates are high. Stunted development and mottled yellow longitudinal streaks, which develop into corky marking (scurfing) along the skin. |
Correction Measure |
Application of gypsum / foliar spray of CaSo4 2%. Foliar spray of 0.2% Borax at forthrightly interval. Application of 10 kg borax per hectare to deficient soil before will prevent boron deficiency. |