Nutrients

N Nitrogen
P Phosphorus
K Potassium
Mg Magnesium
Ca Calcium
S Sulphur
B Boron
Fe Iron
Mn Manganese
Zn Zinc

Broccoli - Necrosis

Symptoms
Symptoms of calcium deficiency start on young leaves. They develop necrotic lesions on leaf tips and margins. With ongoing Ca deficiency necrotic areas progress from tips and margins inwards.

Reasons
Calcium deficiency on broccoli leaf Most soils contain enough calcium, but restricted Ca uptake leads to calcium deficiency. High content of ammonium, potassium, magnesium or sodium in the soil and water stress (deficiency or excess) induce calcium deficiency.

Broccoli - Necrosis

Symptoms
Symptoms of calcium deficiency start on young leaves. They develop necrotic lesions on leaf margins. With ongoing Ca deficiency necrotic areas progress inwards.

Reasons
Calcium deficiency on broccoli leaf Most soils contain enough calcium, but restricted Ca uptake leads to calcium deficiency. High content of ammonium, potassium, magnesium or sodium in the soil and water stress (deficiency or excess) induce calcium deficiency.

Broccoli - Growth retardation

Symptoms
Growth of affected plants is restricted.

Reasons
Calcium deficiency (right) Most soils contain enough calcium, but restricted uptake leads to calcium deficiency. High content of ammonium, potassium, magnesium or sodium in the soil and water stress (deficiency or excess) induce calcium deficiency. Adequate Ca nutrition is crucial for crop quality and minimizes clubroot.

Calcium deficiency made worse by

  • Acidic soils
  • Sandy or light soils (leaching)
  • Acid peat soils
  • Soils rich in sodium
  • Soils rich in aluminium
  • Drought conditions
  • Fruit high in nitrogen or potassium
  • Large fruit

Calcium is important for

  • Good root development
  • Key role for crop quality
  • Tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress
  • Improved storage quality and shelf life