Andong-si, How to Prevent and Respond to Calcium Deficiency in Chili Peppers?

How to Prevent and Respond to Calcium Deficiency in Peppers?

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] The Andong City Agricultural Technology Center recently urged pepper farmers to pay close attention to cultivation management due to a surge in complaints about calcium deficiency.

Calcium has low mobility within the plant, so it is mostly absorbed by older leaves; if the supply from the roots is insufficient, deficiency symptoms appear in new leaves.

Additionally, deficiency symptoms can occur when root vitality decreases due to high temperatures and dry conditions or low temperature and high humidity.

Even if sufficient calcium fertilizer is applied when preparing pepper cultivation fields, excessive application of nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium can inhibit calcium absorption.

Calcium deficiency in peppers occurs in both greenhouse and open-field cultivation. When deficient, the leaf veins first turn yellow, and the growth point area shrinks, causing browning and withering. On the fruit, mainly on the sides or tips, sunken dark brown spots appear, resembling rot.

At the Andong Agricultural Technology Center, it was advised to pay close attention to cultivation management to prevent calcium deficiency damage during the period when chili pepper fruits increase in size and begin to color.

If calcium deficiency symptoms appear on new pepper shoots or fruits, a 0.3% calcium chloride solution should be foliar sprayed 2 to 3 times at intervals of 5 to 7 days.

Also, care should be taken to keep the soil from drying out by proper watering, and after rain, drainage should be well managed to prevent root function decline caused by waterlogging.

Damaged fruits should be removed promptly as this is beneficial for the development of the next flowers.

To prevent calcium deficiency, especially during summer, watering is important; it is better to water frequently in small amounts rather than giving a large amount at once.

If irrigation facilities are not available, soil moisture should be maintained even by using a hose.

When cultivating peppers in greenhouses, it is important to lower the temperature inside the facility during hot midday hours by using shading nets and ventilation fans.

The Andong City Agricultural Technology Center stated, “Attention must be paid to cultivation management to prevent calcium deficiency damage during the period when pepper fruits grow larger and begin to color.”