FOLIAR

FERTILIZATION

PPT by
N.ANKITHA
P.SWATHI
Presentation by
NAVNEETH KRISHNAN AR
P.JAGADISH
S JAYARAMAN

Plant Nutrition
Plant nutrition refers to the need for basic chemical elements for plant growth. The term fertilization
refers to the application of plant nutrients to supplement the nutrients naturally occurring in the soil.
Proper plant nutrition for optimal productivity in crops requires that nutrient deficiencies be avoided.
However, deficiencies occur for a variety of reasons, most of which

Use of soil and tissue tests.

An understanding of crop
requirements.
Timely applications of nutrients.

can be rectified by:

How to identify Nutrient Deficiency in Plants ?

Nitrogen
Uniform over leaf,
small leaves
Sulphur
if symptoms also
on young leaves

Chlorosis

Interveinal or blotchy

Magnesium

Tip or edge scorch,

interveinal
yellowing/browning

Phosphorous

Interveinal or
bloctchy, varying
shades of color

Magnesium

Old & mature

leaves

Necrosis

Why Foliar Application ?

To correct any nutrient deficiency in a standing crop
To maintain optimum level of a particular nutrient
To give a crop the nutritional boost at a critical
juncture in life.

Foliar Fertilization Historically

There is a wealth of literature about foliar fertilization which was first
used as long ago as 1844 to correct plant chlorosis with foliar sprays
of iron (Gris, 1844).
Used widely and for many years in horticulture (fruit and vegetables)
In row-crop agriculture the practice has only caught on in the past
two decades
The deficiencies in plants involve secondary nutrients and
micronutrients, foliar feeding often becomes the preferred means of
correction.

Introduction:
The term foliar fertilization refers to the application of fertilizers by spraying or
dusting the leaves of the plants.
Foliar fertilization is a technique of feeding plants by applying liquid fertilizer
directly to their leaves. Plants are able to absorb essential elements through their
leaves.
The absorption takes place through their stomata and also through their
epidermis.
Transport is usually faster through the stomata, but total absorption may be as
great through the epidermis. Plants are also able to absorb nutrients through their
bark.
The application of foliar sprays of one or more mineral nutrients to plants to
supplement traditional soil applications of fertilizers.

Howto
tomake
makeFoliar
FoliarFertilization:
Fertilization:
How
The most effective means of foliar application is the use of spray
equipment. Either low pressure or high pressure equipment may be
used.

Spray equipment

provides better placement, less loss

by dripping and more effective coverage of the foliage than most other
methods of application.

The hose-end applicator

may be used also. It does not

provide as accurate coverage as the spray equipment does. It also results in
greater loss of plant nutrients as it has a broader coverage than other types of
spray. However, its lower cost, lower maintenance and ease of use often offset
these disadvantages, especially for the home gardener.

Sprinkler can.

Foliar applications may be made also by use of a

This has the same disadvantage as the hose-end applicator. However, it is
satisfactory for the home gardener or other small scale use.

How does Foliar Application

work ?

Mechanism of Foliar
Fertilization :
In order for a foliar fertilizer nutrient to be utilized by the plant
for growth, it must first gain entry into the leaf prior to entering
the cytoplasm of a cell in the leaf.
To achieve this the nutrient must effectively penetrate the the
outer cuticle and the wall of the underlying epidermal cell.
Once penetration has occurred, nutrient absorption by the cell is
similar to absorption by the roots.
Of all the components of the pathway of foliar-applied nutrients,
the cuticle offers the greatest resistance.
The

Component Fertilizers for Foliar Fertilization

Synthetic Fertilizers
Most soluble conventional fertilizer materials can be used for foliar
fertilization.
Hot mix liquid and dry soluble formulations are usually preferred, as
they are designed to be dissolved in water and contain few
contaminants.
Fertilizers containing significant amounts of chlorine, however, should
be avoided to reduce the chances of plant damage. Note that
synthetic fertilizer materials are not permitted in organic production.

 Organic Fertilizers
Fish-based fertilizers (fish emulsion or fish powder) and seaweed
(soluble seaweed powder or seaweed extract) are among the most
common foliar feeds in organic farming, applied either separately
or in combination.
Compost tea has become popular as a foliar spray material
because of its nutrient content and disease-suppressive
characteristics.
Other soluble organic materials and those from which extracts are
easily made include worm castings, manure teas, humates,
molasses, milk, B vitamins, and herbal extracts of plants like
stinging nettle.

How Often To Make Foliar

Applications :
Frequency of application depends upon the needs of the plant
as judged by deficiency symptoms, growth rate of the plant, age
of plant, etc.
Generally applications should be made every six to eight weeks.
Applications should be made as deficiency symptoms first
appear although it is best to prevent the appearance of
deficiency symptoms as yield and quality are reduced.

Foliar Fertilization Examples:

1.With Nitrogen:
Importance:

Nitrogen (N) is the element needed

in the greatest amount and is often
limiting
N is a constituent of proteins,
nucleic acids, hormones and
chlorophyll.
The most used foiar nutrient is
Nitrogen-30-99% foliar Adsorbed

2.With Potassium:

Importance:

Plant water relations

Plant metabolism
Photosynthesis &translocation
Fiber development and quality

Effectiveness

of foliar applied nutrients is determined by

(1) The condition of the leaf surface, in particular the waxy cuticle. The
cuticle is only partially permeable to water and dissolved nutrients and,
as a result, it can limit nutrient uptake.
(2) The length of time the nutrient remains dissolved in the solution on
the leaf's surface.
(3) Diffusion, the movement of elements from a high concentration to a
low concentration. For diffusion to occur, the nutrient must dissolve
(4) The type of formulation. Water-soluble formulations generally work
better for foliar applications as they are more easily absorbed when
compared to insoluble solutions.

Various factors affect the effectiveness of foliar feeding:

pH of the foliar spray solution Nutrients must be in their soluble form in

order for the plant to be able to absorb them. pH affects the solubility of
nutrients and their interaction with other components in the water.
Generally, acidic pH improves the penetration of nutrients through leaf
surfaces.
In addition, pH affects foliar absorption of nutrients in three other ways.
pH affects the charge of the cuticle (a waxy layer covering the leaves)
and therefore its selectivity to ions.
The ionic form of nutrients is pH dependent, and therefore pH can affect
the penetration rate.
pH might affect the phytotoxicity of the sprayed compounds.

What are the factors affecting

Foliar Application ?

What are the advantages of Foliar over

Soil Application ?
UTILIZATION OF APPLIED QUANTITY
More than 90% fertilizer is utilized by the plant when applied in Foliar form.
When a similar amount of fertilizer is applied in the soil, the plant utilizes
only 10%

TRANS-LOCATION WITHIN THE PLANT

95% of the foliar fed nutrient solution can be found in the smallest root
within 60 minutes if conditions are right

FERTILIZER EFFICACY IN SANDY LOAM SOILS

In sandy loam soils, foliar applied fertilizers are up to 20 times more
effective when compared to soil applied fertilizers

Deficiency History or
Symptoms:
In areas where crop production has continued for some time and
where the interactions of particular crops and soils have been
well studied, certain nutrient deficiencies are predictable.
Deficiencies involve secondary nutrients and micronutrients,
foliar feeding often becomes the preferred means of correction.
For example, foliar feeding is routinely used in some regions to
manage zinc deficiencies on pecan crops. Likewise, calcium
sprays have often been recommended as one means to prevent
blossom-end rot in tomatoes.

Advantages
Low cost
Quick plant response
The benefit of being able to respond immediately to plant conditions,
Lack of soil fixation
Independent of root uptake
The use of only small quantities of fertilizer
The ability to combine with other agrochemicals in a single application
Increased quality and increased yields.
No foliar burn (with KNO3 or K2SO4)

Disadvantages

Possible occurrence of foliar burn and effects of various plant organs and
organ.
Solubility problems especially with cold water,
Inefficient absorption when the solution pH is too high.
Practical problems associated with foliar fertilization include the detrimental
effects of drought and increased leaf wax, the
The correct location of the spray in the canopy, leaf age (physiological
activity), the crop fruit load.
The efficiency of foliar fertilization can also be affected by such practical
factors as the choice of salt, concentration of salt, the pH of solution, the use of
adjuvants, and compatibility with other chemicals.

Conclusions :
Proper plant nutrition for optimal crop productivity requires that
nutrient deficiencies be avoided.
Foliar fertilization can be used to improve the efficiency and
rapidity of utilization of a nutrient urgently required by the plant for
maximum growth and yield.
Foliar fertilization can result in yield increases. Foliar fertilization
can cause improved fibre quality.
Foliar fertilization is a viable means of applying certain fertilizers
that can supplement traditional soil methods.

THANK YOU