Potatoes - Discolouration
Symptoms
Calcium deficiency causes internal browning and hollow tubers.
Reasons
Calcium deficiency
Boron deficiency can also trigger internal browning and hollow tubers. It is difficult to separate the symptoms.
Potatoes - Discolouration
Symptoms
Internal browning.
Also hollow tubers are a symptom of calcium deficiency.
Reasons
Calcium deficiency
Can be confused with boron deficiency. It is difficult to separate the symptoms.
Potatoes - Deformation
Symptoms
Young shoot tips are deformed as the young leaflets are not developed properly. Remaining leaf stubs show dark brown necrosis.
Calcium deficiency is seldom seen on the leaves, as most soils contains enough calcium for leaf growth.
Reasons
Calcium deficiency
Boron deficiency causes similar symptoms, but necrosis is normally seen between the veins and not only at the edge of the leaf as with calcium deficiency.
Potassium deficiency causes necrosis at the edge of the leaf, but symptoms are first visible on the older leaves. The leaves with potassium deficiency normally do not curl up.
Potatoes - Deformation
Symptoms
The margins of young, fully developed leaflets are cupped upwards.
Calcium deficiency is seldom seen on the leaves, as most soils contain enough calcium for leaf growth.
Reasons
Calcium deficiency
Calcium deficiency/ internal browning made worse by
- Acidic soils
- Sandy or light soils (leaching)
- Acid peat soils
- Soils rich in sodium
- Soils rich in aluminium
- Drought conditions
- Fruit high in nitrogen or potassium
- Large fruit
Calcium is important for
- Healthy green foliage
- Improved yield and quality
- Better storage potential of tubers