THE PROSPECTS OF USING CALCIUM NITRATE IN THE CULTIVATION OF CITRUS CROPS: A LITERARY REVIEW

Citrus fruits are the most important fruit crops in regions with subtropical and tropical climates. Currently, citrus fruits are grown on an industrial basis in more than 140 countries around the world. The territory of these countries is fully or partially located in regions with a subtropical or tropical climate. The main citrus-growing countries are the USA, Brazil, China, Japan, Italy, Spain, Israel, India, Turkey, Egypt, etc. Citrus crops are very demanding of nutrients, which play a key role in plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors, as well as in ensuring their high productivity and fruit quality. One of these elements is (Ca). Worldwide research proves that calcium nitrate plays an important role in the life of citrus plants (it supports physiological processes, affects fruiting, fruit weight, fruit integumentary tissue density, improves fruit transportability, reduces the percentage of physiological disorders and increases resistance to fungal diseases). In addition, calcium promotes the absorption of other nutrients, which contributes to plant stress resistance and yield growth. However, in Russia, calcium nitrate is mainly used as an ingredient in fertilizers to mitigate the effects of soil acidity in the cultivation of fruit crops, and there is no scientifically proven practice of its use on citrus plantations. The conducted analytical search has shown that the use of calcium nitrate is an important element of agricultural technologies for the cultivation of citrus crops in different countries of the world and can be effective in the cultivation of citrus fruits in Russia.