Calcium deficiency

Constraint – Calcium

Plant use

• Calcium is a macronutrient involved in the proper functioning of growing points and maintaining strong cell walls

• Deficiency symptoms are rare because calcium is common in soil, and is a component of many fertiliser and soil amendment products

Symptoms

• Seen first in youngest tissues

• Plants may be limp/wilt, with stunted root systems

Damage

• Soils low in calcium usually have associated adverse conditions, such as low pH and aluminium, iron, and manganese toxicities

• These associated conditions can cause varying yield penalties

Management

A soil test to determine how deficient the soil is, and the application of an appropriate amount of lime, is usually sufficient to correct the deficiency.

Links and Resources

DEPI VIC - Assessing the nutrient status of dairy pastures - Calcium Table of deficiency symptoms (7.2). Published 1994.

DEPI VIC - What nutrients do plants require? Calcium 6.3.5. Plant uses, and animal health implications of deficiency. Page last updated 22 Nov 2013.