Fertilizer application outside the root system, also known as foliar feeding, is an effective method to supplement essential nutrients directly to plants. To ensure optimal results, it's important to choose the right type of fertilizer based on its characteristics. Fertilizers such as urea, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, and ammonium sulfate are ideal for foliar use due to their high solubility and effectiveness. However, certain fertilizers like superphosphate, ash leaching, and ammonium metaphosphate should be used with caution. Additionally, highly volatile substances such as ammonia and ammonium bicarbonate, or those containing chloride ions like ammonium chloride and potassium chloride, should generally be avoided for foliar application, as they can lead to nutrient loss or even harm the crops.
When applying foliar fertilizers, it's crucial to consider the crop type and growth stage. The recommended concentrations vary depending on the crop. For instance, urea is typically applied at 1-2%, while potassium dihydrogen phosphate is used at 0.3-0.5%. Superphosphate leaching solution may be applied at 3-5%, and ammonium molybdate at 0.01-0.1%. Crops like cotton, rape, beans, and vegetables—known as dicotyledonous plants—have large leaf areas and thin cuticles, making them more efficient at absorbing nutrients. Therefore, their foliar fertilizer concentration should be lower. In contrast, monocotyledonous crops such as rice, wheat, and corn have smaller leaf areas and more silicified leaves, which make nutrient absorption slower. For these crops, higher concentrations are often needed to achieve the desired effect.
The timing of foliar fertilizer application is also important. Studies show that applying fertilizer when the air is humid and the leaves remain moist for 30–60 minutes yields the best results. It’s best to spray in the early morning or late evening when dew is present or humidity is high. On cloudy or windy days, spraying can be done throughout the day, but evening applications tend to be most effective. To enhance absorption, a small amount of adjuvants like washing powder, neutral soap, or specialized products such as 885 fertilizer can be added to the solution. These help reduce surface tension, allowing better contact between the fertilizer and the leaf surface.
The frequency of foliar fertilization depends on how mobile the nutrients are within the plant. Nitrogen and potassium are highly mobile, so they can be applied once during critical growth stages. Phosphorus, being less mobile, may require 1–2 applications based on crop needs. Micronutrients like zinc, molybdenum, manganese, and copper are only partially transported, while boron and calcium are non-mobile. These usually require 2–3 consecutive sprays for maximum benefit.
Finally, the choice of application site plays a significant role in effectiveness. Leaves, especially young green ones, are the most suitable areas for foliar feeding. In dicotyledonous crops, the upper side of the leaves has a tightly packed palisade tissue, which makes it harder for nutrients to penetrate. The underside, however, has a spongy structure with larger cell gaps, allowing better absorption. Therefore, it's advisable to spray both sides of the leaves for dicots. For monocots, spraying the top side from above is sufficient. By following these guidelines, farmers can optimize nutrient uptake and improve overall crop health.
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