Foliar Feeding may be the Difference for Farming's Future

Foliar Feeding may be the Difference For Farming’s Future

Science first proved the validity of foliar feeding in the 1950’s as Drs. H.B. Tukey and S.H. Whittwer applied radioactive isotopes to plant leaves to see if they were, indeed, taken up by the plant and then translocated within the plant. From the lab to field trials at Michigan State University, they were able to prove and replicate those tests, yet the technology remains unknown and riddled with controversy.

Charlie O’Dell, Extension Emeritus, from Virginia Tech stated in a 2002 paper that, “Now, a half-century later, I believe it is important to bring these science-based findings to light and publicize this work to benefit growers and their crops.” Among the published findings of the pioneering scientists in their early trials was strong evidence that “plant nutrients moved at the rate of about one foot per hour to all parts of the plants. Comparing efficiency of plant use of foliar-fed nutrients versus soil-applied nutrients near roots, foliar feeding provided about 95 percent efficiency of use compared to about 10 percent of use from soil applications”

It is the low rate of application that leaves modern scientists dubious about the efficacy of foliar applications. Articles published by Mississippi State University state simply that it is not possible for foliar applications at such low rates to work. However, according to Dennis Stephens at Monty’s Plant Food, a Louisville, Ky based manufacturer of foliar applied fertilizer, “The difference is similar to taking a vitamin or eating several cups of vegetables. With direct ingestion of the needed nutrients, it is not necessary to consume as much in order to receive similar benefits.” O’Dell adds that “a relatively small amount of plant nutrients, foliar-applied, can replace a much greater amount that is soil-applied, and is immediately available to plants.”

Traditional fertilizers are seeking to amend deficiencies in the soil where roots will eventually absorb them. Foliar applied nutrients go direct to the plant. Because of that, they are not subject to run-off, bound up with-in the soils and left unattainable, or leave behind the salt residue that turns many irrigated field chalk-white after evaporation. With a higher percentage of nutrients actually making it into the system of the plant, you can apply fewer chemicals, at lower rates than traditional fertilizer will allow.

But what does that mean to you on your farm. According to research done by Phoenix Technologies under the direction of Dr. Robert E. Jones, formerly of the University of Maryland, “A figure commonly used for the increased production is 10%, but in crops such as legumes this can be raised to as high as 25%. There are many other benefits other than increased yield. These can include such diverse advantages as increase in protein in alfalfa hay, greater prevention of frost damage, better return bloom in fruit, and even less respiration in stored crops.” Stutzman Research Farm in New York, in 2002, tested alfalfa treated with a foliar application of Monty’s Liquid Fertilizer while the crops size itself was only slightly greater than the check, and smaller than other products used in the test, when the nutritional analysis was completed and the results fed through models at the University of Wisconsin, Milk production and the resulting on-farm profits were increased substantially.

Many of the benefits of foliar applied nutrients cannot be seen by ‘truck-window’ inspections of the crops. While the crops may look similar, root development, pod set, weight, and nutritional analysis have all shown significant increase with a properly used foliar program. While seed and pest technology may have maxed out what they can offer for increased profits and yields, this 50 year old ‘new’ technology is just now in its infancy. Farmers who have been testing it on their own crops across areas as diverse as prairie hay in Texas, and Montana wheat are switching from 10-acre test plots to full conversion because they have seen the benefits.

Even though the bulk of the growing season is gone, growers can still get a boost before harvest. In addition, a late summer- early fall application to fruit crops, alfalfa and spring wheat can help ensure better and earlier development once these crops break dormancy in the spring as well as help prevent winter kill.

Foliar applications may be ‘the new kid on the block’ at winter farm shows. But, as you walk through the booths, remember, science proved it would work when FARMALL H’s were thought to be revolutionary.