1、Role of calcium nutrition in plant Physiology: Advances in research and

Calcium fertilizers play a key role in improving acidic soils and facilitating sustainable crop production. Liming is a key mechanism by which calcium fertilizers mitigate soil acidity.

2、Function and application of calcium in plant growth and development

Calcium in crops has dual functions. It not only participates in the formation of cell walls and membranes but also plays a role in responding to various environmental stimuli and internal growth and development signals as an intracellular second messenger.

3、Calcium in Plants

Calcium is an essential plant nutrient. As the divalent cation (Ca 2+), it is required for structural roles in the cell wall and membranes, as a counter‐cation for inorganic and organic anions in the vacuole, and as an intracellular messenger in the cytosol (Marschner, 1995).

4、Calcium

Calcium also promotes proper plant cell elongation, participates in enzymatic and hormonal processes, and plays a role in the uptake processes of other nutrients. The total amount of Ca in soils normally ranges from 0.7 to 1.5 percent in non-calcareous, temperate soils.

Calcium Biofortification of Crops–Challenges and Projected Benefits

Breeding staple crops with higher Ca concentrations is a sustainable long-term strategy for alleviating Ca deficiency, and particular criteria for a successful breeding initiative need to be in place. This paper discusses current challenges and projected benefits of Ca-biofortified crops.

What are Calcium

Using calcium fertilizers to supplement soil calcium levels and address specific crop needs can help prevent deficiencies and reduce the risk of crop loss due to physiological disorders.

Beyond pH: Calcium’s True Role in Crop Production

Although calcium removal through harvested crops is typically moderate, this essential nutrient is often underestimated in broad-acre crop production. However, calcium plays a critical role in plant structure, signaling, and stress resilience.

Role of Calcium in Plant and Soil Fortification Strategies

Understanding the role of calcium in plant and soil fortification strategies is crucial for sustainable agriculture, improved crop yields, and enhanced food quality.

(PDF) Calcium as a Plant Nutrient

Calcium (Ca) is an essential plant nutrient responsible for the integrity of cells and plant structure, yet it is generally neglected, because it is available in plenty in most cultivated soils....

Boosting Crop Yields: The Role Of Calcium In Fertilizers

By incorporating calcium into fertilizers, growers can address these deficiencies and improve crop yields and quality. Overall, the benefits of calcium in fertilizers are multifaceted, contributing to healthier soil, stronger roots, and more efficient nutrient uptake.

Calcium fertilizers play a crucial role in crop growth by regulating various physiological processes within plants to promote healthy development. Calcium is an essential element involved in many key biochemical processes, including enzyme activation, cell wall construction, and signal transduction. The following sections outline the specific functions of calcium fertilizers in crops:

1. Structure and Function of Cell Walls and Membranes

• Cell Walls: Plant cell walls, composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, provide structural support. Calcium ions enhance the cross-linking between these polysaccharides, strengthening the cell wall’s stability and reducing the risk of mechanical damage. For example, calcium deficiency may lead to leaf yellowing or wilting due to weakened cell walls, making plants more susceptible to environmental stress.

• Cell Membranes: Plant cell membranes act as barriers controlling water, nutrient uptake, and metabolite transport. Calcium ions contribute to the lipid bilayer structure of membranes, maintaining stability and fluidity. They also influence the function of membrane proteins, such as transporters and receptors, affecting the plant’s response to external stimuli.

2. Enzyme Activity and Metabolism

• Enzyme Activation: Calcium ions act as activators or inhibitors of enzymes, significantly impacting their activity. For instance, calcium can activate enzymes like phospholipases, accelerating metabolic processes, while inhibiting others to slow down reactions.

• Metabolic Pathways: Calcium ions regulate multiple metabolic pathways, including photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen metabolism. In photosynthesis, calcium affects chlorophyll synthesis and degradation, influencing efficiency. During respiration, it impacts mitochondrial structure and function, altering energy production and consumption.

3. Hormone Balance and Signal Transduction

• Hormone Regulation: Calcium ions are critical in hormone synthesis and signaling. For example, they may activate enzymes involved in hormone production (e.g., methyl jasmonate synthase), influencing hormone distribution. Additionally, calcium can modulate hormone receptor activity, affecting signal transmission.

• Signal Transduction: Calcium ions serve as secondary messengers in plant signaling, particularly in responses to environmental stresses. For instance, they help regulate root adaptation to soil salinity, impacting growth and development.

4. Stress Resistance and Disease Defense

• Stress Tolerance: Calcium enhances a plant’s ability to withstand adverse conditions. Calcium deficiency may cause leaf yellowing and reduce drought or heat tolerance. proper calcium application improves stress resilience and growth under challenging conditions.

• Disease Resistance: Calcium also strengthens disease resistance. Calcium-deficient plants often exhibit yellowing, weakening their defense against pathogens. Adequate calcium fertilization boosts immunity, reducing disease incidence and spread.

calcium fertilizers not only improve crop yield and quality but also enhance stress and disease resistance. rational application of calcium fertilizers is of great significance for agricultural production.