Site pages
Current course
Participants
General
Topic 1
Topic 2
Topic 3
Topic 4
Topic 5
Topic 6
Topic 7
Topic 8
Topic 9
Topic 10
Topic 11
Topic 12
Topic 13
Topic 14
Topic 15
Topic 16
Topic 17
Topic 18
Topic 19
Topic 20
Topic 21
Topic 22
Topic 23
Topic 24
Topic 25
Topic 26
Topic 27
Topic 28
Topic 29
Topic 30
Topic 31
Topic 32
Topic 33
Topic 34
Topic 35
Deficiency of Calcium
Calcium is associated with more postharvest-related deficiency disorders than any other mineral. Ca deficiency disorders, such as blossom-end rot of tomatoes, can be eliminated by applying calcium salts as a preharvest spray. For others, such as bitter pit of apples, only partial control is obtained by preharvest sprays. Variability in the extent of control achieved is probably related to the amount of calcium taken up by the fruit. Postharvest dipping at sub-atmospheric pressures, which markedly increases the uptake of calcium, can result in total elimination of bitter pit. A substantial amount of the added calcium binds with pectic substances in the middle lamella and with cell membranes. Added calcium may possibly prevent some disorders by strengthening these structural components, without alleviating the original causes of the disorder. Strengthening cell components could prevent or delay the loss of sub-cellular compartmentation and the associated chemical and enzyme mediated reactions that cause browning symptoms.
Table: Calcium-related disorders of fruit and vegetables
|
Last modified: Thursday, 15 December 2011, 1:44 PM