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Why use calcium peroxide for fertilizing plants?
Calcium is the main constituent of plant cell walls, and is most
abundant in actively dividing root and shoot cells. It is
particularly advantageous to supplement calcium levels in
germination/rooting, pre and early flowering. By having sturdy cell
walls, plants are less susceptible to insect and disease, while
providing greater dry weights.
Oxygen is essential at the roots for water and nutrient absorption
during photosynthesis. During this stage plants are metabolizing
macro and micronutrients, as well as enzymes, hormones, organic
acids, etc. for storage in plant tissue to fuel growth. Plant
friendly microbes require a constant supply of oxygen in order
survive and flourish. Without a good supply of oxygen, anaerobic
microbes may begin to set up shop, thus leading to a host of
problems including nutrient deficiencies, and root disease.
Recent studies suggest that individual plant cells under attack from
viruses require tremendous amounts of oxygen to oxidize
themselves(sort of a cell “suicide”) in order to prevent
neighbouring cells from becoming infected with the virus. As all
living things, plant viruses require food, which tends to be plant
D.N.A. and R.N.A. so once the cell has destroyed itself, the
isolated virus must starve and die, leaving behind healthy and
uninfected plant cells.
Calcium peroxide (CaO2) is a solid peroxide with a white or
yellowish color. For all practical purposes calcium peroxide is
insoluble in water but will dissolve in acid to form hydrogen
peroxide. When in contact with water it will immediately begin to
decompose releasing oxygen. Calcium peroxide is composed of oxygen
being held in a tight bond with calcium, both of which are
indispensable when growing high-performance crops. The breakdown is
as follows: CaO2-----1,Ca + 2,O. As mentioned previously H2O2
decomposes into 1,H2O and 1, O.
One of the greatest benefits of calcium peroxide, is that it
provides a continuous constant supply of both calcium and oxygen,
which are very important in plant production.
Calcium peroxide will break down more rapidly with increased
temperatures and decreased pH, making it an ideal product for indoor
growers with peat-based potting mixes.
An additional benefit is the increased calcium levels in the peat
substrate increasing buffering capacity, thus reducing the effects
of nutrient toxicity, which we all know can lead to a host of
problems.
Calcium peroxide is also known to be useful in land farming. In
clayey soils it can provide a source of oxygen and improve hydraulic
conductivity, permitting more efficient movement of nutrients and
oxygen through the soil.
The calcium peroxide treated soils shows increased total microbial
populations and species diversity. Increasing species diversity
suggests the ability to degrade a wilder range of chemical
contaminants.
It has been found that metal peroxides, as evidenced by an
experiment with magnesium peroxide, which can release at lease 15 mg
of oxygen per gram of total formulated product controls Erwinia
caratovara. |
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