# Efficacy of Biomin Calcium on Kiwifruit Analysis and Storage Life Compared to Standard Practice

- Link: https://rd2.co.nz/trial/efficacy-of-biomin-calcium-on-kiwifruit-analysis-and-storage-life-compared-to-standard-practice/
- Published: 2019-09-08T09:04:25+00:00
- Author: rsf_admin

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of preharvest calcium treatments
on pre-harvest and postharvest quality of kiwifruit.

The results indicate that preharvest treatments of Biomin™ Calcium have aided in
increasing fruit calcium levels as well as possibly improving the postharvest shelf
life of fruit. In kiwifruit, as in most fruits, storage quality is related to calcium
concentration and many disorders are associated with low fruit calcium status.

This study has shown, like many other studies done previously, that after an early
rise, fruit calcium content decreases because calcium influx ceases by the mid-growth
stage whereas volume growth continues until harvest. Calcium transport to the fruit
is exclusively via the xylem and is not phloem mobile when using standard forms 
of Calcium.

The xylem mobility of calcium best explains the decline in calcium accumulation 
in kiwifruit throughout the season. In a study done in New Zealand and Italy, researchers
found that the xylem functionality declines after the fruit has grown to half its
harvest size. As the xylem functionality deteriorates, the translocation of calcium
through the xylem also deteriorates.

The patterns observed in this trial have shown that the chelation technology existing
in the formulation of Biomin™ Calcium, a Glycine chelated product, means that every
Calcium ion is bonded with two Glycine molecules creating a fully chelated Calcium
product.

The plant recognizes this molecule as a proteinaceous molecule allowing it to travel
in the phloem instead of forcing it to use the xylem where Calcium is normally transported.
This allows the Calcium to be a mobile element in the Glycine chelated form. This
is the edge Biomin™ Calcium has over all other products existing in the marketplace.

The trial has shown that applications of Biomin™ Calcium will positively increase
the calcium content of fruit versus standard practices. The final fruit calcium 
levels are very important for overall fruit quality as well as the post-harvest 
shelf life of fruit. An overall average increase of 15% calcium content in fruit
was observed where Biomin™ Calcium was applied. This is quite significant given 
that fruit calcium content was the measured parameter, not leaf levels. This increase
shows that Biomin™ Calcium is highly systemic as well as mobile through the fruit
cuticle, a characteristic not present in any other calcium product/formulation in
the marketplace.

[Read full study paper here.](https://rd2.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Seeka-Ca-trial-250604.pdf)