Calcium deficiency

• Role in the plant: calcium is an essential constituent of the cell walls contributing to their structural rigidity.

• Symptoms of deficiency: the young leaves and the leaf tips become chlorotic, smaller and slightly curled (photo 1). In the case of severe calcium deficiency, plants may be stunted. As calcium is not very mobile in the plant, symptoms are typically located on the apical parts of the leaves, stems and sprouts. Necrotic and black tips on the sprouts (photo 2) as well as tuber internal rust spot are sometimes related to a lack of calcium availability.