Calcium nitrate is an anhydrous salt commonly used as fertiliser and wastewater treatment in concrete manufacturing industries. It is also used in cooling baths for medicinal purposes and in solar power plants to store energy. It is obtained by treating limestone with nitric acid.
Application of Calcium Nitrate in Agriculture
Calcium nitrate fertiliser is a water soluble chemical that provides nitrogen and calcium necessary for plant growth. Calcium boosts the structural strength of plant cells, and it also helps repair plants when they are damaged. Nitrogen, on the other hand, is essential for photosynthesis.
Why use Calcium Nitrate Fertiliser?
Typically, plants absorb nutrients from the soil, but when the soil lacks some nutrients, the plant may develop certain deficiencies. Calcium nitrate fertilisers are commonly used for:
- Calcium-deficient plants – Calcium nitrate fertiliser can help boost the calcium levels of fruits and vegetables. Plants with calcium deficiency have a curly appearance or brown spots on the margins. Since calcium is needed to create strong plant cell walls, the calcium nitrate fertiliser may be ideal for farmers who want to produce large fruits that don’t split.
- Nitrogen-deficient plants – Nitrogen deficiency commonly affects the oldest foliage, often found towards the bottom of the plant. Nitrogen deficiency reduces or stops plant growth. Since nitrogen does not regenerate naturally in the soil, it is essential to replenish it using calcium nitrate fertiliser. While ammonium nitrates can offer a solution to nitrogen deficiency, they may do more harm than good. It is important to note that nitrogen fertilisers are not needed for plants able to fix nitrogen from the air, e.g. legumes.
- Plant disease prevention – Plant diseases can affect both flowering and fruit-bearing plants. Nothing can be frustrating as seeing your favourite apple tree affected by cork spot, blossom end rot, or bitter pit. Luckily, you can apply calcium nitrate fertiliser before these diseases affect your fruits and flowers. If your plant is affected, you only need to use a foliar spray since the leaves quickly absorb the calcium nitrate.
When to Apply Calcium Nitrate
You can apply the calcium nitrate after watering your plants since it’s soluble in water. To prevent plant diseases on your fruits and vegetables, you can use the fertiliser for top-dressing before planting. Before your plants begin producing fruits, you can apply the fertiliser for the second time. You can then apply calcium nitrate once or twice more during the plants’ growth.
Advantages of Calcium Nitrate Fertiliser
- It is the only water-soluble source of nitrogen and calcium
- It helps plants resist diseases
- It is relatively cheap
- It is found in different forms. You can use it for foliar feeding or as a liquid fertiliser.
Order Quality Calcium Nitrate from Bisley Group
At Bisley & Company, we supply industrial minerals, additives, and raw materials valuable for most industrial applications. Whether you need a fast-acting calcium nitrate for your apple trees or solar plant, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with us today to discover how we can supply the minerals and fertilisers to any of your locations in Australia.