Foliar sprays are liquid fertilizer treatments that are applied directly to the leaves of plants. These sprays allow for nutrients to be readily absorbed into the leaves and help supplement what plants uptake through their root systems. Major nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can be provided through foliar applications alongside micronutrients. Foliar sprays offer a few key advantages over traditional soil applications of fertilizers.
Quick uptake of nutrients
When nutrients are applied to the leaves, plants can absorb them much more quickly than through their roots. Absorption through leaves occurs within hours versus days through the soil. This allows for an immediate boost when plants are deficient or experiencing stressors that require a rapid nutrient response. The direct contact with leaves maximizes how much of the applied nutrients are actually taken up by plants.
Targeted applications
With Foliar Spray, nutrients can be precisely placed where plants need them the most like new leaves, flowers or fruits. Soil applications rely on root uptake and distribution throughout the plant but aren't as accurately targeted. Foliar treatments ensure atomspheres, flowers and produce directly receive applied nutrients.
Supplement normal fertility programs
Foliar sprays are usually meant to complement - not replace - a soil fertility program. They provide a means to deliver extra nutrients when plant needs spike above what the soil alone can supply. Examples include heavy fruiting or flowering periods that deplete reserves, times of extreme heat or cold stress, or deficiencies identified through tissue testing.
Respond to deficiencies quickly
If plant tissue tests reveal a micronutrient is lacking, a foliar application can rectify the problem far quicker than waiting for soil amendments to work through the rootzone. This prevents yield or quality losses from prolonged deficiency states. Foliar applications may also be used to correct problems that developed too late in the season to be addressed through soil applications.
Increase nutrient efficiency and sustainability
Because foliar absorption is very efficient with little nutrient leaching or runoff potential, less fertilizer overall is required to meet plant demands. This decreases environmental and financial costs associated with traditional ground applications. It’s a more sustainable and precision-based approach to fertilization.
Common foliar spray formulations
Nitrogen Foliar Spray Industry
Among the most widely used formulations are liquid nitrogen (N) products. These provide readily available N that plants can utilize immediately. Urea and ammonium-containing fertilizers are effectively applied as foliage sprays. Care must be taken not to burn leaves, so lower concentrations around 1-3% N are typically used.
Phosphorus and potassium foliar sprays
Soluble P & K products formulated for foliar use include potassium nitrate and various phospholipid compounds. While P & K are not as readily absorbed through leaves as N, foliar formulations can still supplement soil-applied nutrients during critical growth stages. Solubilized trace elements are also frequently included.
Agricultural micronutrient sprays
Common micronutrients applied via foliage include iron, manganese, zinc, copper and boron. These are often the key limiting nutrients identified in tissue testing. Chelated micronutrients are well-suited for foliar use since they remain soluble and available for plant uptake. Sulfur is another essential element supplied through foliar applications.
Natural and organic foliar fertilizers
Options derived from natural sources like fish emulsions, kelp or seaweed extracts, and molasses provide balanced nutrition plus beneficial hormones and substances that enhance plant health, yield and quality. Biostimulants in these formulations have synergistic effects beyond sole nutrient content. Compatibility with organic production is valuable for many growers.
Application considerations and best practices
Proper timing is vital for maximizing effectiveness of foliar treatments. Growth stages with rapidly expanding leaf tissue like budding, flowering or fruit set provide the most absorptive area. Early morning or late evening applications are preferable to avoid burning from sun exposure before nutrients are taken into leaves.
Adding non-ionic surfactants improves spray adhesion and penetration through waxy leaf cuticles. Water quality also influences absorption - soft water below 200 ppm hardness is optimal. Too much hard water can cause unsightly residue. Thorough coverage of all leaf surfaces is needed for uniform nutrient availability.
Frequent, lighter doses applied every 7-14 days maintain a constant source of available nutrients taken up passively through stomata and leaf surfaces. Environmental stress can reduce this passive absorption, necessitating extra targeted applications. Proper spray equipment with a fine mist or fog nozzle ensures even distribution without runoff.
Disease and insect pressures also demand consideration. Combining certain micronutrients with fungicides or pesticides may cause burning, precipitation or incompatibilities. It’s recommended to do small jar tests or spray a limited area as a trial before widespread foliar applications. Label directions should always be strictly followed for individual products.
The future of foliar nutrition
Advancements in formulation technologies continue to expand the role of foliar feeding programs. Encapsulated nanonutrients are in development that could achieve previously impossible levels of uptake efficiency for compounds like phosphorus. Biostimulant additives show promise enhancing every aspect of plant metabolism. Precision agriculture tools enable highly customized spray prescription maps based on remote sensing of crop conditions field by field, or even plant by plant.
As production systems transition more towards sustainability and resource stewardship, balanced foliar nutrition will play an integral part. Well-timed liquid feeds maximize yields from existing soil fertility while minimizing environmental impacts. When used judiciously alongside soil applications, foliar spraying offers growers a powerful precision tool for optimizing plant nutrition throughout each season. Its popularity and benefits for world agriculture can only continue growing worldwide.
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