Is calcium important for groundnut?
Calcium is an important nutrient for pod development and kernel formation in groundnut. Low availability of calcium leads larger number of unfilled pods called pops. Adequate supply of calcium results in healthy pods and well developed kernels. Calcium absorbed by roots is not tanslocated to developing pods, which require calcium for proper kernel development. However, it is fortunate that pegs and developing pods could directly absorb calcium. Hence, calcium needs to be applied near the plants so that the pegs and developing pods could take up the applied calcium. The best method of supplying calcium to the pegs and developing pods is by dusting well ground gypsum at 300-500 kg per ha around the plants at the time of early flowering i.e. 30 to 35 days after sowing. The gypsum falls around the plants in the zone of pod formation and will be available at the time when the need for calcium is great.
