A major way calcium is supplied to plants is by what process?

Calcium primarily enters plants through cation exchange, a process that plays a crucial role in nutrient availability in soil. In cation exchange, calcium ions in the soil solution adhere to negatively charged soil particles (such as clay and organic matter), which can hold onto nutrients and prevent them from leaching away.

When roots of plants absorb water, they also take up calcium along with other minerals. The roots exude hydrogen ions, which displace calcium and other cations from the soil particles, allowing them to be absorbed by the plant. This mechanism is vital because it ensures that calcium and other essential nutrients are readily accessible to the plant during its growth stages.

While soil microbe activity can influence nutrient dynamics, it is mainly through processes like organic matter breakdown and nutrient mineralization that microbial activity aids in overall soil fertility rather than being a direct avenue for calcium supply. Atmospheric deposition, too, contributes to nutrient availability; however, it is not a major mechanism for supplying calcium directly to plants. Phytoremediation refers to the use of plants to absorb contaminants from the soil or water, which is not related to the routine supply of nutrients like calcium. Thus, cation exchange stands out as the primary process by which calcium is made available to plants