Bitter pit is one of the physiological disorders that can significantly reduce the market value of apples. It appears as small, dark spots beneath the skin and is often linked with lower flesh quality. Affected fruit may lose firmness, look less attractive and store poorly after harvest.
The problem is usually connected with calcium nutrition disorders. Even when calcium is present in the soil, it does not always reach the developing fruit in sufficient amounts.
Why is calcium important in apple orchards?
Calcium supports cell wall stability and fruit tissue structure. When calcium levels are too low, apples become more prone to physiological disorders, lose firmness faster and may perform worse during storage.
In practice, growers may notice symptoms such as:
- small brown spots under the skin,
- reduced flesh firmness,
- increased risk of storage problems,
- lower quality of fruit intended for sale.
This is why calcium nutrition should be treated as a regular part of orchard management, especially during the period of intensive fruit growth.
Bitter pit — when is the risk higher?
The risk of bitter pit increases when fruit are growing rapidly and calcium transport to the fruit is limited. Weather conditions, tree vigour, crop load and the regularity of foliar treatments also play an important role.
The disorder often becomes visible close to harvest or during storage. At that stage, it is usually too late to react effectively. Preventive action during the season is therefore much more important.
VitaFer Ca as calcium nutrition support
VitaFer Ca is a foliar fertiliser designed to support calcium nutrition in fruit crops. It can help maintain fruit firmness, support fruit quality and reduce the risk of physiological disorders connected with calcium deficiency.
Regular applications of VitaFer Ca are especially worth considering in orchards where bitter pit appeared in previous seasons, fruit firmness was reduced or storage quality was a problem.
What can good calcium nutrition support?
Proper calcium supply in apples can support:
- better flesh firmness,
- improved storage potential,
- reduced risk of bitter pit,
- better market quality of the crop,
- more stable fruit condition before harvest.
Calcium does not work as a last-minute solution. Consistency and proper timing of treatments are essential.
How to reduce the risk of bitter pit?
The basis is regular orchard monitoring and a well-planned foliar calcium programme. Calcium treatments should be part of a broader orchard nutrition strategy, not a single intervention just before harvest.
If bitter pit has appeared in your orchard or your apples have shown poor storage quality, it is worth reviewing your calcium nutrition programme for the whole season.
Check VitaFer Ca and choose calcium support suited to the needs of your orchard.
