Tests by Argentina's National University de La Plata (UNLP) have shown blueberry production and size increases with the use of calcium-based fertilizers, reported Fruticulturasur.com.ar.

Calcium is usually not used in fertilization programs, but the study conducted by the university's Faculty of Agricultural Sciences showed it helped boost blueberry diameter by 5%, performance by between 5% and 21%, as well the growth of new basal shoots by between 36% and 61%.

The story highlighted calcium's benefits for sanitary plant health, as it intervenes in the metabolism of nitrogen and assists cell growth and elongation of roots and stems.

The study was conducted with three types of calcium fertilizers applied to soil, plaster, calcium chelate and calcium lignosulfonate, without modifying pH levels, the story reported.

The fertilizers were applied in instalments fom the floration period until the end of sprouting.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com