Foliar Feeding

Foliar Feeding, a term referring to application of essential plant nutrients to above ground plant parts, has been documented as early as 1844.  The purpose of foliar feeding is not to replace soil fertilization.  Foliar applications have proven to be an excellent method of supplying plant requirements for secondary nutrients and micronutrients, while supplementing N-P-K needs for short and/or critical growth stage periods.

Not all fertilizers are suitable for use as a foliar spray.  The primary objective of a foliar application is to allow for maximum absorption of nutrients into the plant tissue; therefore, foliar fertilizer formulations should meet certain standards in order to minimize foliage damage.

  1. Low Salt Index:  Damage to plant cells from high salt concentrations can be considerable, especially from nitrates and chlorides.

  2. High solubility:  This is needed to reduce the volume of solution needed for application.

  3. High Purity:  This is needed to eliminate interference with spraying, solution compatibility, or unexpected adverse effects of foliage.

N-Rich Plant Food meets all these needs.  

N-Rich fertilizers have the lowest salt index on the market today.  Our fertilizers are very soluble, thus no need for massive amounts of water.  Our fertilizers are made of tech grade materials, ensuring the highest purity of any and all foliar fertilizers.

Timing:

        Alfalfa - Applications should be made as soon as there is enough leaf area                        available to absorb nutrients.

                Timing - (1) After each cutting - just as new growth appears.
                              (2) When alfalfa is 6-8" high   

 

                         
        Corn - The first application is made to stimulate and continue rapid vegetative growth.  Applications made at this time are especially useful in enhancing recovery from cold wet weather.  The second series of applications during ear fill promotes larger kernels on heavier, more developed ears.
 
                Timing - (1) First application should be made at the 3-4 leaf stage.
                              (2) Second application should be made at early silk.
       
         Soybeans - Foliar applications have shown the best responses when made twice during the seed filling period.  Yield increases resulted not from bigger seeds, but more seeds due to seeds developing that otherwise  may have aborted due to a lack of nutrition.  Earlier applications are essential for correcting chlorosis or poor nodulation.

 

                Timing - (1) Early applications can be made at V3 to V4.
                              (2) Second application should be made during the 
                                    flowering stage of growth R1 - R2.

            Wheat - Foliar applications should be made when early spring growth appears.

                    Timing - (1) When plants are 3 to 8 inches in height but before first 
                                        joint.
                                  (2) Feek's 10.0(early bloom)

                                            Sugar beets - Foliar applications should be made at critical growth stages.

                    Timing - (1) One application only: at the 6 - 8 leaf stage.
                                   (2) Two to three applications: beginning 
                                        at the 2 leaf  and then at 10 - 14 day intervals.