Calcium (Ca)

Calcium (Ca) is taken into the plant primarily as the Ca2+ ion and is a primary component of the cell wall tissue that provides rigidity to the plant. Calcium is one of the macro-nutrients required for optimum cotton growth and development.

Deficiency of calcium typically affects root growth and development. Under deficient conditions proper root growth is inhibited and root tips may turn brown and begin to die. Due to the compromised root function and development under Ca deficient situations other symptoms such as water stress and additional nutrient deficiency symptoms may begin to appear. Above ground deficiency symptoms may appear under severe cases as shortened internodes near the top of the plant. Since Ca is not mobile in the plant deficiency symptoms will appear primarily on young tissue first.

Most soils in the cotton belt contain sufficient quantities of Ca for proper growth and development. Situations that may lead to Ca deficient situations include light textured soils with low pH where Ca has been leached from the soil.