Spraying sorbitol-chelated calcium affected foliar calcium absorption and promoted the yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

The prevalent use of foliar calcium fertilizers in peanut production is inorganic, but calcium absorbed from the foliar has poor availability. Sorbitol-chelated calcium is a novel organic foliar calcium fertilizer that has rarely been studied for application in peanut production. To explore whether calcium absorption and peanut yields can be affected by foliar application of sorbitol-chelated calcium, this study conducted two field experiments using Virginia peanut (Huayu-22) in 2020 and 2021. The five spray treatments included: deionized water (CK), sorbitol (Sor), calcium nitrate (CaN), a mixture of sorbitol and calcium nitrate (SN), and sorbitol-chelated calcium (SC). The yield of peanuts treated with sorbitol-chelated calcium was increased by 12.31-16.63%, 10.22-11.83%, 6.31-9.69%, and 4.18-6.99% compared to the CK, Sor, CaN, and SN treatments, respectively. Sorbitol-chelated calcium had the lowest contact angle due to the wetting effect of sorbitol, which promoted calcium absorption by leaves. Sorbitol-chelated calcium improved the leaf calcium concentration by 13.12-19.32% and kernel calcium concentration by 6.49-8.15% compared to the CK treatment. Foliar fertilization increased the calcium concentration of each subcellular fraction of leaves and changed the distribution of calcium in mesophyll cells. This change was directly observed by transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, spraying sorbitol alone obtained similar effects to spraying calcium nitrate alone, indicating that the benefits of sorbitol itself were not negligible. The results of the principal component and correlation analysis showed that the increase in calcium concentrations and the change in calcium distribution improved the pod traits of the peanut, thus affecting the peanut yield. The above results showed that from the perspective of calcium absorption and distribution, sorbitol-chelated calcium is a more effective foliar calcium fortifier for peanuts and effectively improves peanut yields.

Role of Pre-harvest Sorbitol-Calcium Treatments in Controlling Berry Drop in Bagged Table Grapes of the "Doña María" Variety

“…Likewise, the application of Sorbitol-chelated calcium throughout the crop cycle increased leaf calcium concentration by 13.12-19.32% and kernel calcium concentration by 6.49-8.15% compared to the control in peanuts [52] and total calcium and calcium bound in leaves and fruits of pepper plants [53]. This chelation of calcium with polyols converts inorganic calcium to organic, enabling a vectoring process for absorption, translocation, and transformation [54].…”

Response of Diverse Peanut Cultivars to Calcium Fertilization under Clay Soil Conditions

“…In this context, the physiological and biochemical processes and growth of peanuts may be impacted by the greater calcium concentrations in leaves and stems, which could also indirectly alter the soil's ability to absorb calcium. [23]. Also, the calcium foliar application improved leaf growth and dry weight [24].…”

“…This result may be due to poor availability and absorption of foliar calcium application. Li et al [23] reported that inorganic foliar calcium fertilizers are frequently used in the production of peanuts. However, calcium absorbed through the foliar has low availability.…”

“…Most of the pod calcium needs are taken directly from the soil, known as the fruiting area, through the shell of pods, rather than via the roots, and then down through the peg [22]. In the leaves and stems, higher Ca levels may influence the physiological and biochemical processes of groundnut, hence, indirectly influencing calcium absorption from the soil [23]. The foliar calcium application restored temperature-dependent photosynthesis feedback inhibition due to improved growth/sink demand [24].…”

Calcium enhanced the resistance against Phoma arachidicola by improving cell membrane stability and regulating reactive oxygen species metabolism in peanut

“…Studies on soybeans by Sugimoto et al have revealed that spraying calcium formate and calcium nitrate boosts defensive enzyme activities, significantly inhibiting the occurrence of soybean stem rot, indicating that calcium, as an important signaling molecule, can improve plant disease resistance by regulating specific antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase [33,34]. Furthermore, exogenous calcium also plays a very important role in enhancing the stress resistance and improving the quality of peanuts [35][36][37]. However, compared to vegetables and crops, the mechanism of calcium-induced resistance in peanuts is still not clear.…”