Tipburn Incidence and Ca Acquisition and Distribution in Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn.) Cultivars under Different Ca Concentrations in Nutrient Solution

Abstract

Tipburn (calcium (Ca) deficiency disorder) is a major problem in the production of lisianthus cultivars. However, few studies have investigated the influence of different Ca concentrations in nutrient solution on tipburn incidence and Ca acquisition and distribution. Thus, it remains unclear why some cultivars exhibit tipburn under high Ca concentrations. To address this, we used three lisianthus cultivars ‘Azuma-no-Kaori’ (AK), ‘Celeb Wine’ (CW), and ‘Voyage Yellow’ (VY) and compared tipburn incidence and Ca acquisition and distribution under different Ca concentrations in a nutrient solution (low (40 ppm), moderate (80 ppm), and high (120 ppm) Ca). Tipburn severity and incidence in AK and VY significantly decreased with increasing nutritional Ca concentrations; the Ca concentrations in each organ and Ca acquisition competence (RGRCa) increased at higher nutritional Ca concentrations. In contrast, tipburn incidence in CW was 100% for all treatments. In CW, Ca acquisition competence and Ca concentrations in most organs increased with increasing nutritional Ca concentrations, but the Ca concentrations in the tips of the upper leaves did not differ significantly between treatments. Thus, our results suggest that the cause of tipburn under sufficient Ca conditions is an inability of the plant to distribute Ca to the tips of its upper leaves.