FERTILIZER & CHEMICAL
Plants get the majority of their nutrients from the soil by root absorption. However
there are many instances where foliar nutrient supply is both necessary and beneficial:
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To minimise environmental impact. The usage efficiency of foliar applied nutrients is higher than soil applied nutrients. This can be important in environmentally sensitive areas and areas prone to leaching.
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To prevent or cure transient nutrient deficiency when nutrient demand exceeds root uptake rate. This may be due to poor root development or rapid crop growth.
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To by-pass soil conditions which limit nutrient availability and to thereby accelerate plant response. These conditions include adverse soil pH, moisture, texture and aeration.
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To target nutrients directly rather than rely on indirect transportation through the soil and roots. Examples of this are in preventing nutrient deficiencies of specific organs, e.g. fruit.
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To supply nutrients to plants with deep root systems, when soil surface application of fertilisers such as P, K, Ca, Mg and trace elements is not effective.
