Fruit trees prefer taking up potassium to calcium, so in soils where potassium is present at more than required quantities, fruit quality can suffer.
This is also often the case where composted green waste has been applied as mulch because it is rich in potassium.
Foliar calcium sprays are applied to redress the balance. However, new technologies are available in recently introduced calcium formulations that require evaluating.
HDC project TF 200 - entitled Apple: Determining the Effectiveness of Novel Calcium Products to Increase Fruit Calcium, Increasing Storage Potential & Potentially Reducing Bitter-pit - has been implemented to help determine the effectiveness of increasing fruit calcium concentration and the associated cost of these new products.
Dates for your diary
Bulbs & Outdoor Flowers Panel Meeting, 13 October.
For further details, visit the HDC website at www.hdc.org.uk.
How to Save Energy & Grow Disease-Free Ornamental Crops, Chichester, 20 October.
Technical seminar aimed at ornamentals growers, particularly production supervisors. For further details, see www.growsave.co.uk/energy-events.
Horticultural Development Company
For details on all HDC activity, visit www.hdc.org.uk.
