24 SportsTurf | September 2014 www.sportsturfonline.com
Field Science | By Andrew Hoiberg, PhD
T
he importance of calcium in any plant/
soil system cannot be overstated. It is both
a vital nutrient for plants and essential
cation in soil, found in great quantities in
both environments, making it somewhat
unique in comparison to other elements. Although
technically considered a secondary macronutrient, its
level in turfgrass plants ranks third after nitrogen and
potassium. Despite the relative importance of calcium,
it is often ignored or simply taken for granted by those
managing the plant/soil system.
Calcium plays many roles in plant health, the most
recognizable being its role in strengthening cell walls and
within cells to maintain osmotic balance, thereby stabi-
CalCium and CalCium
-baSed Soil amendmenTS
in TurFgraSS
Dispersed, sodic soil
with classic surface crust-
ing. Poor infiltration and
seedling emergence can
be expected.
Editor's note: The author is director of research and development for Calcium Products, Ames, IA.
