Match calcium application to active root growth
Calcium uptake by plants is dependent on new root growth and effective transpiration. Uptake of calcium only occurs through young root tips as the cell membranes of the epidermis are still permeable – no casparian band (Figure 1). In older roots once the casparian band has formed, it blocks calcium transport through apoplast cells in the root. This is highlighted in Figure 2 as calcium uptake reduces with increased distance from the root tip.