Physiological Effects Of Calcium In Fertigated Citrus Anke Kwast, Yara International September 2010
Contents Performance of YaraLiva Calcium Nitrate in Citrus production. Possible explanations Improved Ca availability. Avoidance of soil acidification. Better health. Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 2
Yield Quality Shelf Life Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 3
YaraLiva Nitrabor enhanced fruit yield as compared to AN Field trial with Valencia Sweet Orange in Brazil, broadcasted solid N fertilizers Mean of 3 harvests (2004/05 2006/07) Fruit yield (kg/tree) Solid application Range of control AN CN AN/CN Kg N/ha Common N rate REF: Yara trial (2008), conducted by J.A. Quaggio (IAC Campinas, SP) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 4
YaraLiva Nitrabor enhanced yield of total soluble solids as compared to AN Field trial with Valencia Sweet Orange in Brazil, broadcasted solid N fertilizers Mean of 3 harvests (2004/05 2006/07) Total soluble solids (kg/ha) Solid application Range of control AN CN AN/CN Kg N/ha Common N rate REF: Yara trial (2008), conducted by J.A. Quaggio (IAC Campinas, SP) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 5
Fertigation trial YaraLiva Calcinit versus AN conducted by J.A. Quaggio (IAC Campinas, SP) Fertigation Started in 2003 Trial is still ongoing (Sept. 2010) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 6
Treatments 2 fertilizer forms: CN (YaraLiva Calcinit) AN (Ammonium nitrate) 4 N rates, actual rate depends on tree age 4 replicates/blocks Total 32 plots 07/2008 Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 7
Methods N application & Ca application with Calcinit Tree age, years 2-3 (2003/4) 3-4 (2004/5) 4-5 (2005/6) 5-6 (2006/7) 6-7 (2007/8) 7-8 (2008/9) Rate, kg N ha -1 N1 N2 N3 N4 30 40 50 60 60 80 60 80 100 120 120 160 90 120 150 180 180 240 120 160 200 240 240 320 Tree age, years 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7-8 Rate, kg Ca ha -1 with Calcinit N1 N2 N3 N4 37 49 61 73 73 98 Increased application rates 73 98 122 147 147 196 110 147 183 220 220 294 147 196 244 294 294 392 Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 8
Soil solution ph Ca, mmol c L -1 Liming 2 t/ha of dolomitic lime stone was applied in 07/2003, 09/2005 and in 11/2006. Broadcast application under the canopy of the trees with a machine. Liming enhanced ph in soil solution... ph in soil solution of wetted bulb in 0-30 cm soil depth 7,5 6,5 AN Liming 09/2005 CN YaraLiva TM Calcinit 5,0 4,0 3,0 AN CN 5,5 4,5 Liming 07/2003 Ammonium Nitrate Liming 11/2006 2,0 1,0 3,5 jan/04 ago/04 fev/05 set/05 mar/06 out/06 abr/07 Mean of all treatments Period 0,0 jan/04 ago/04 fev/05 set/05 mar/06 out/06 abr/07 Period Lime application in the citrus orchard in 2006 Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 9
Better growth with YaraLiva Calcinit (highest N rate) YaraLiva Calcinit Ammonium Nitrate Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 10
Yield advantages with YaraLiva Calcinit as compared to AN developed with time Fertigation trial with Valencia Sweet Orange in Brazil; mean of all N rates Fruit Yield (t/ha) 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 +12% Calcinit +40% +39% +28% AN 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 07/2008 REF: Yara trial (2008), conducted by J.A. Quaggio (IAC Campinas, SP) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 11
Big yield advantages with YaraLiva as compared to AN at all N rates Fertigation trial with Valencia Sweet Orange in Brazil 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 AN R² = 1,00 1 2 3 4 Rate of N supply 70 60 50 40 30 20 REF: Yara trial (2008), conducted by J.A. Quaggio (IAC Campinas, SP) Fruit Yield (t/ha) 2007 2008 90 Calcinit R² = 0,72 80 Calcinit R² = 0,96 AN R² = 1,00 1 2 3 4 Rate of N supply 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 R² = 0,99 2009 Calcinit AN R² = 1,00 1 2 3 4 Rate of N supply Enhanced N rates Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 12
Yield advantages with YaraLiva Calcinit as compared to AN developed with time Fertigation trial with Valencia Sweet Orange in Brazil; mean of all N rates TSS (kg/ha) 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Calcinit AN 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 REF: Yara trial (2008), conducted by J.A. Quaggio (IAC Campinas, SP) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 13
Calcium deficiency causes peel disorders Common peel blemishes of citrus Splitting Creasing (Albedo breakdown) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 14
An adequate Ca supply improves shelf life of citrus Field observation in Brazil, Sao Paulo State have indicated a better fruit set and quality of Tahiti acid lime after soluble calcium has been supplied to the soil in springtime. A survey to look deeper into the impact of Ca, showed a significant correlation of (r= 0.54) between Ca content of leaves and water loss from the fruits of the same tree during a 14-days storage. Indicating that trees with an adequate Ca supply produce fruits with a better shelf life. REF: Mattos Junior, Milaneze, Azevedo & Quaggio (2010) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 15
Possible explanations Improved Ca availability. Calcinit prevent soil acidification. Better health. Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 16
Calcium Availability in soil Citrus has a very high Ca requirement. Calcium is important for a strong cell structure of crops. Calcium is important for root growth and root growth is important for Calcium uptake. YaraLiva Calcium Nitrate is highly plant available and mobile in the soil and enhances the Ca availability also in deeper soil layers. Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 17
Calcium binds the cells together - like a glue Ca saturates the free COO - groups of the pectines in the middle lamella Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 18
...without the calcium glue cells are free to move apart Which leads to... Physiological disorders & splitting of fruit Fungal spores Susceptibility to attack by diseases Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 19
Under the microscope it becomes visible - Stronger cells with calcium Cell walls of xylem tissue in the fruit peel of banana were stronger with Calcium Nitrate; Costa Rica; 3rd year of trial Applied with YaraLiva Tropicote REF: Corbana/Yara International (2008) see speaker notes Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 20
Ca uptake mainly by root tips, where the root hairs are located Root hairs Ca ++ Ca ++ Ca ++ Ca ++ Ca ++ Ca in soil solution Roots of head lettuce Roots and root hairs of potato REF: Kwast, Research Centre Hanninghof, Yara Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 21
Root growth is strongly depending on sufficient Ca in soil solution Backwards transport of Ca from shoot to root is impossible Root length growth rate of soybean [mm/h] 4 3 With Ca 2 1 Without Ca 0 0,5 1,5 2,5 3,5 Time [h] REF: Horst, university Hannover Lettuce roots with Ca deficiency Kwast, Research Centre Hanninghof, Yara Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 22
Also root hair growth is very sensitive to Ca deficiency Ca is facilitating growth of root hair A tip-focused Ca gradient in root hairs is a pre-requisite for root hair growth; Here Ca leads the direction of tip growth and is acrucial component of the tip-growth machinery. Gradients in cytoplasmic Ca associated with tip growth of Arabidopsis roots hairs. REF: Gilroy et al. - 2000 Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 23
Ca deficiency in Citrus production is common REF: Srivastava & Singh - 2009 Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 24
Calcium is the most prominent nutrient in citrus leaves REF: Paramasivam, Alva, Hostler, Easterwood & Southwell - 2000 Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 25
Leaves live longer with adequate Ca supply Citrus leaves may live for 2 years, which is quite long (Robinson et al. 1997). In case of Ca deficiency, crops produce smaller leaves with a shorter lifetime, as shown for coffee and Ipomea. T50* of leaves (days) Days until 50 % of the leaf population died 80 60 40 50 69 Therefore Ca deficiency can limit crop productivity via a decrease of leaf area. 20 0 Ca deficiency sufficient Ca supply REF: Ramalho et al.- 1995 & Suarez - 2010 REF: Suarez 2010; Pot experiment with Ipomea Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 26
In the leaf tissue, YaraLiva Calcinit maintained the Ca content above the threshold value, while there was marginial Ca deficiency with AN Fertigation trial with Valencia Sweet Orange in Brazil; mean of all N rates Ca content of leaves (% in dry matter) 4,0 3,5 Calcinit 3,0 2,5 Threshold value AN 2,0 Initial Ca content 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 years 11/2008 REF: Yara trial (2008), conducted by J.A. Quaggio (IAC Campinas, SP) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 27
The lower Ca concentration in the leaves may induce higher losses of productive leaf area Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 28
Utilize the synergy of nitrate and calcium Apply nitrate for enhanced uptake of calcium Nitrates carries cations with it Ammonium uptake even hampers cation uptake Nitrate uptake increases cation uptake Ammonium uptake slows cation uptake Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 29
Crops can reduce the Ca concentration in soil solution tremendously Ca in soil solution (mg/l) 750 636 500 250 444 calcareous soil acid sandy soil 0 75 79 14 7 3 0 5 7 9 Trial code: 2008-DE-CAL-G-31 Weeks after planting 96 (pot trial with broccoli in calcareous soil from Spain and acid sandy soil from East Germany; suction cups were placed in top soil layer 0-5 cm; without Ca supply). REF: Pot trial, Research Center Hanninghof, Yara Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 30
YaraLiva is very efficient in enhancing Ca concentration in soil solution Rel. enhancement of Ca concentration (control=100%) 160 149 146 CN - 67 kg Ca 140 120 117 gypsum -134 kg Ca lime - 400 kg Ca 100 80 60 40 20 0-20 63 sandy soil 0-5 cm 50 6 5 acid soil 0-5 cm 55 Spanish soil -5 0-5 cm Pot trial without crop; suction cups 0-5 cm; fertilizers applied initially to the surface; mean of all samplings during a period of 50 to 100 days. REF: Research Centre Hanninghof, YARA Trial code: 2008-DE-CAL-G-04+05+06 Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 31
YaraLiva is very efficient in enhancing Ca concentration in soil solution over a longer term Sandy soil Acid soil Spanish soil Ca concentration (ppm) Ca concentration (ppm) Ca concentration (ppm) 600 no Ca 600 600 500 CN - 67 kg Ca gypsum -134 kg Ca 500 500 400 lime - 400 kg Ca 400 400 300 300 300 200 200 200 100 100 100 0 0 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 days days days REF: Research Centre Hanninghof, YARA Trial code: 2008-DE-CAL-G-04+05+06 Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 32
cm soil depth cm soil depth Calcium & nitrate move in the soil together YaraLiva TM Calcinit solution applied with a dripper on the soil surface 0 mg/100 g soil Field trial undisturbed soil Nitrate Calcium REF: Research Center Hanninghof, Yara -5-10 -15-20 -25-30 -35-40 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 cm 0-5 -10-15 -20-25 -30-35 -40 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 cm 42.0 35.0 28.0 21.0 14.0 7.0 0.0 54.0 48.0 42.0 36.0 30.0 24.0 18.0 12.0 6.0 0.0 Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 33
Important to include calcium in the fertigation solution, where desorption and leaching of soilborn Ca is markedly enhanced Even on a calcareous soil, one year of fertigation with a Ca free solution resulted in a declining Ca availability in the fertigation bulb dripper 20 cm soil depth Ca = 84 ppm ph = 6,4 C.E. 1,46 mmhos/cm Mg = 33 ppm Ca = 103 ppm ph = 7,3 C.E. 1,61 mmhos/cm Mg = 38 ppm Fertigation bulb (Citrus orchard in Argentinia, 2004, Juan Palma SQM) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 34
Soil depth (cm) Soil depth (cm) In the soil of the wetted bulb, YaraLiva Calcinit enhanced Ca availability down to 60 cm after 7 years with fertigation on limed soil Fertigation trial with Valencia Sweet Orange in Brazil; April 2009 YaraLiva Calcinit Ca content (mg/kg) 0 5 10 15 20 25 Ammonium Nitrate Ca content (mg/kg) 0 5 10 15 20 25 0-20 cm 20-40 cm 40-60 cm REF: Yara trial (2010), conducted by J.A. Quaggio (IAC Campinas, SP) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 35
Calcium concentration in the soil solution of the wetted bulb in January 2010 Fertigation trial with Valencia Sweet Orange in Brazil Ca (mg/l) in wetted bulb 200 150 Calcinit 100 50 0 AN 80 130 180 230 280 330 N rate (kg N/ha) Suction cups placed in the trial REF: Yara trial (2010), conducted by J.A. Quaggio (IAC Campinas, SP) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 36
Ca deficiency locally in the subsoil Acid subsoils is a major concern in many regions of the world. Roots are dramatically inhibited in their capacity to penetrate acid subsoils. Shallow rooting systems can make plants very sensitive to even short periods of drought. Nutrients which are often found in subsoil can not be utilized by the crop. Due to low mobility of characteristics of CaCO 3, liming is not appropriate as excessive liming, even when it has been mixed with the top soil, has little effect on the subsoil. Calcium Nitrate is a Ca source which is relative mobile in soil! REF: Hern, et al.- 1988 Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 37
In the soil of the wetted bulb, YaraLiva Calcinit prevented acidification, while AN acidified Fertigation trial with Valencia Sweet Orange in Brazil; mean of 4 N rates 6,5 ph value (0.01 mol/l CaCl 2 ) of soil in wetted bulb in 0-20 cm soil depth 5,6 in 20-40 cm soil depth 6,0 5,5 5,0 4,5 Calcinit AN 5,4 5,2 5,0 4,8 4,6 4,4 4,2 Calcinit AN 4,0 2002 Initial 2004 2006 2008 ph year 4,0 2002 Initial 2004 2006 2008 ph year REF: Yara trial (2008&2010), conducted by J.A. Quaggio (IAC Campinas, SP) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 38
ph value in the soil solution of the wetted bulb in January 2010 Fertigation trial with Valencia Sweet Orange in Brazil ph value in wetted bulb 8 7 6 Calcinit 5 4 3 2 AN 80 130 180 230 280 330 N rate (kg N/ha) REF: Yara trial (2010), conducted by J.A. Quaggio (IAC Campinas, SP) Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 39
Fusarium solani causes fibrous root rot Calcium Nitrate helps prevent Fusarium toxins developing Ammonium-containing fertilizers, including Ammonium Nitrate, support Fusarium growth REF: Dr. Stan Nemec (Plant Pathologist, USDA, ARS, retired) in: (eds. Hydro Agri North America) Now, more than ever before Quality Counts. Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 40
Calcium Nitrate strengthens the root cells against fungal attacks Oranges (cv 'Homosassa') - pot experiment, USA. Some fungi can cause root rot at fibre roots 100 80 Root rot of fibrous roots [% of total fibre roots] 60 40 20 0 No N fertilizer Calcium Nitrate Urea Ammonium Sulfate REF: Klotz et al. -1958 - USA Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 41
Conclusions YaraLiva Calcium Nitrate is a source of highly plant available calcium and nitrate. is a mobile calcium source in the soil. provides nitrogen in the form of nitrate, which enhances uptake of cations especially calcium. is not acidifying the soil. improves health of citrus roots. These can be the reasons for the good performance of YaraLiva Nitrabor and Calcinit in the presented trials. Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 42
Obrigado pela sua atenção Author Date: 09.03.2009 Page: 43