However, excessive rates of calcium at the expense of other cations can reduce fruit firmness and shelf life. For this reason it is important to keep calcium applications in balance with other cations such as potassium and magnesium.
Increasing Firmness and Shelf Life with the Correct Calcium Nutrition
While most calcium is found in the leaves, petioles, crown and roots, the small amount that does get into the fruit is critical in terms of berry structure and shelf life. Although the inner fruit and distal parts of the fruit contain little calcium, the relatively high concentrations found in the fruit margins are particularly important in terms of fruit quality.
Strawberry fruit is highly susceptible to bruising and post-harvest decay and low levels of calcium exacerbate the problem, reducing shelf life. Trials show that calcium increases fruit firmness and prolongs keeping quality.
Calcium also helps to reduce levels of mold on fruit post-harvest. This calcium can also be applied pre-harvest as a foliar application. Ca reduces albinism, maintaining fruit coloration through increasing anthocyanin levels during maturity.
Recommended Yara Fertilizers for Soft Fruit
&filetype=.JPEG)
YaraLiva CALCINIT
15.5% N + 18.8% Ca - Fully water soluble nitrogen and calcium fertilizer which is a free flowing and dissolves quickly in water without any residues so is suitable for application through all fertigation systems.
&filetype=.JPEG)
YaraTera KRISTALON SCARLET
7.5-12-36 + 4.5% MgO 10% SO3 - A water soluble NPK fertilizer for liquid feeding and contains a full range of chelated micronutrients ideal for all fertigation systems.
&filetype=.JPEG)
YaraTera KRISTALON RED
12-12-36 + 1% MgO 2.5% SO3 - A water soluble NPK fertilizer for liquid feeding and contains a full range of chelated micronutrients ideal for all fertigation systems.
&filetype=.JPEG)
YaraTera KRISTALON BLUE LB
19-6-20 + 3% MgO 7.5% SO3 - A water soluble NPK fertilizer for liquid feeding and contains a full range of chelated micronutrients ideal for all fertigation systems.
&filetype=.JPEG)
YaraTera KRISTA K PLUS
YaraTera KRISTA K PLUS 13.7% N 46.3% P2O5 - A fully water soluble nitrogen and magnesium fertilizer. It is a free flowing fine crystalline powder which dissolves quickly in water without any residues.
&filetype=.JPEG)
YaraTera KRISTA MAG
YaraTera KRISTA MAG - 11% N 15% MgO - A fully water soluble nitrogen and magnesium fertilizer. It is a free flowing fine crystalline powder which dissolves quickly in water without any residues.
&filetype=.JPEG)
YaraTera REXOLIN Q15
YaraTera Rexolin Q15 is a high performance microgranular EDDHA iron chelate containing 7% iron with 1.5% of the iron as the ortho-ortho isomer. The micro granular formulation is stable, fully water-soluble and non-dusting. Ideal for use in agriculture and horticulture in soil applications. The product is specifically formulated to provide maximum crop safety. This helps to ensure that application will not cause damage to the crop which can reduce it's market value. Analysis 7% w/w = 70 g/kg Fe (chelated by EDDHA) Pack Size 25kg Available in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland..
&filetype=.JPEG)
YaraMila GROWER
15-3.9-16.6 + 3.8% S + 1.1% Mg - Compound field grade NPK fertilizer based on 35% SOP and 65% MOP for use on a wide range of horticultural crops.
&filetype=.JPEG)
YaraVita BORTRAC 150
A liquid micronutrient fertilizer containing 150 g/l boron for foliar application to provide additional boron or to treat boron deficiencies in a wide range of crops.
&filetype=.JPEG)
YaraVita SENIPHOS
A liquid micronutrient fertilizer containing high concentrations of phosphate and calcium for foliar application to improve yield and quality in fruit and potatoes.
&filetype=.JPEG)
YaraVita MAGFLO 300
A flowable liquid fertilizer containing 300 g/l magnesium for foliar application to cereals and potatoes or treat magnesium deficiency in a wide range of crops.
&filetype=.JPEG)
YaraVita STOPIT
A liquid micronutrient fertilizer containing 160 g/l calcium for foliar application to control and reduce calcium related disorders in top fruit and other crops.