Introduction
Spain leads strawberry production in Europe, with more than 90% concentrated in Huelva. In addition, Castilla y León plays a strategic role in producing the mother plant, with more than 1,500 hectares of nurseries that supply both the domestic and international markets.
Strawberries stand out for their flavor, quality and earliness, qualities that allow them to conquer European markets for a large part of the year. But behind each fruit there is a nutritional balance that makes it possible. In this context, calcium in strawberries plays a fundamental role, being one of the key elements to guarantee the firmness, resistance and commercial quality of the fruit.
Why is calcium so important in strawberries?
Calcium is an essential nutrient with key structural and physiological functions. In strawberry cultivation, it participates in:
- Strengthening of cell walls: it is incorporated into pectin, forming firmer and more stable structures.
- Development of young roots and meristems: areas with high calcium demand, which is not easily mobilized within the plant.
- Regulation of cell permeability: improves water balance and absorption of other nutrients.
- Stress tolerance: helps the plant to resist adverse water, saline or thermal conditions.
Benefits of good calcium nutrition
Due to the functions in which calcium participates, a correct fertilization with calcium in strawberries contributes to:
- Firmer and more resistant to mechanical damage.
- Lower incidence of rotting.
- Longer post-harvest life, thanks to better texture preservation.
- Healthier leaves and flowers.
- Better balance with other nutrients, especially potassium and magnesium.
Consequences of calcium deficiency
When there is little availability of calcium or poor absorption by the root, they may appear:
- Soft fruit with little firmness.
- Apical rot or necrosis at the base of the fruit.
- Deformities in new leaves and damaged roots.
- Decrease in yield and commercial quality.
Strategies for effective calcium fertilization
After checking the problems caused by a wrong calcium availability in strawberries, and to avoid nutritional imbalances, it is important to make a good fertilization plan, following these guidelines:
- Periodic analysis of water, soil and plant tissue.
- Apply calcium continuously, especially in key stages such as flowering and fruit filling, since calcium is not easily mobilized inside the plant.
- Maintain balance with other cations such as potassium and magnesium, which compete for absorption.
- Prioritize root nutrition, complementing it with foliar applications.
- Control soil pH (ideally between 5.5 and 6.5) to improve calcium availability as high or low pH will complicate availability.
As a source of calcium, the most suitable product is Tarasoil® Calcium, a calcium oxide complexed with lignosulfonic acid. Thanks to the combination of these elements, calcium is distributed through the xylem at a faster rate, favored by the fulvic acids it contains. This allows calcium to efficiently reach the points of greatest demand, such as fruits and new shoots.
The application of Tarasoil® Calcium improves the cell wall of the fruit, increasing its consistency and facilitating harvesting by avoiding fruit marking. It also prolongs post-harvest life and contributes to the washing of salts from irrigation water, improving soil structure and nutrient absorption.
Conclusion
Calcium in strawberries is an essential nutrient for fruit quality and firmness. Its management should be integrated into a balanced fertilization program, combining root and foliar applications throughout the cycle. Adequate calcium nutrition translates into higher yields, better conservation and superior commercial quality.
