MSU Clarksville Experiment Station Tests FBSciences' Calcium Products for Bitter Pit Reduction

The Michigan State University Clarksville Horticulture Experiment Station is testing FBSciences' products CellMate™- F and Calron™- S to evaluate their effectiveness in reducing bitter pit in three varieties of apples commonly grown in Michigan. 

The Michigan Apple Committee urged the Clarksville Experiment Station to conduct the testing after grower trials in 2007 indicated a significant reduction in bitter pit after foliar applications of FBSciences' CellMate-F.  The research is being conducted by Phil Schwallier, station coordinator and a specialist in apples.

Both CellMate-F and Calron-S utilize FBSciences' revolutionary nutrient delivery system, to provide superior nutrient uptake and mobility throughout the plant. 

According Schwallier, it is believed that bitter pit is caused by Calcium deficiencies in the fruit of apple trees. Calcium is not very mobile in plants, and moves mainly in the woody xylem to the leaves, not the fruit.

Unlike competing Calcium products, FBSciences' technology enables plants to move Calcium to fast-growing fruiting areas that are susceptible to physiological disorders such as bitter pit.

"Ourr technology allows any nutrient to be readily absorbed and be transported throughout the entire plant," said Dr. John F. Bradley, director of research and development for FBS. "In the case of CellMate-F and Calron-S, this means a difficult to move nutrient like Calcium has a much better chance of translocating into the fruiting bodies where it will do the most good to increase fruit quality."

The foliar and soil applied Calcium products help strengthen cellular walls, which in turn improve fruit quality.