British Scientists Announce Solution for Carrot Cavity Spot

It is commonly said that a quarter of a teaspoon of calcium per acre is the best way to keep away cavity spot in carrots. But even when regularly applied, whole crops still develop the disease.  

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“Because the pathogen responsible for cavity spot, Pythium, is relatively weak, it can only attack cells with imperfect defenses,” says Dr. David Marks, of Levity Crop Science, in the research team’s announcement of the study results [add hyperlink]. “Calcium gives the cell wall rigidity and strength. When levels fall, the fungus takes advantage.” 

So why is it that crops are still developing the disease? The problem is calcium doesn’t stay put. 

“Unlike most nutrients, calcium only moves upward through the plant,” Marks says. “When absorbed through the roots, it goes to the leaves where it’s either stored or lost from the plant as excess. Meanwhile foliar calcium applications follow the ‘Las Vegas’ maxim: what happens to the leaves, stays in the leaves. Foliar calcium doesn’t correct root deficiencies.” 

For the calcium to be properly absorbed to the roots, crops need high levels of auxin, a plant hormone that plays a role in cell differentiation and division.  

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This is why Marks and his team at Levity Crop Science have developed a fertilizer with “calcium transport stimulants.” These stimulants can be used by the plant regardless of auxin levels, he says. 

“In this instance, we created a granular calcium fertilizer incorporating LoCal technology,” says Dr Marks. “Albina is a slow-release [pellet] that can be applied at planting to root crops. It is the first product to supply slow-release granular calcium, via chemistry that allows active uptake by roots.

Albina releases calcium slowly over the growing period. This allows for the plant to absorb just the right about of calcium it needs in that stage of life.

“Albina provides an opportunity to reduce the reliance on fungicides, creating a healthier carrot crop that denies Pythium the opportunity to take a hold,” say Marks. 

Albina is not yet to be registered in the U.S. for crop protection. Marks hopes to push its official use if interest is there. 

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