Plants can absorb nutrients through their leaves in a process called foliar feeding. Foliar feeding is the application of liquid fertilizer directly to the leaves of a plant. The fertilizer is absorbed through the stomata, which are small pores on the surface of the leaves.
Foliar feeding is a quick and easy way to provide plants with nutrients. It is especially useful for plants that are difficult to fertilize through the soil, such as those that are grown in containers or that have poor root systems. Foliar feeding can also be used to correct nutrient deficiencies in plants that are already showing signs of stress.
To apply foliar fertilizer, dilute it according to the directions on the label. Then, use a spray bottle to apply the fertilizer to the leaves of the plant, making sure to get both the top and bottom of the leaves. Foliar feeding should be done on a sunny day when the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Foliar feeding is a safe and effective way to provide plants with nutrients. However, it is important to use a fertilizer that is specifically designed for foliar feeding. Some fertilizers can be harmful to plants if they are applied to the leaves.
Here are some of the benefits of foliar feeding:
- Quick and easy: Foliar feeding is a quick and easy way to provide plants with nutrients.
- Effective: Foliar feeding is an effective way to correct nutrient deficiencies in plants.
- Safe: Foliar feeding is a safe way to provide plants with nutrients, as long as you use a fertilizer that is specifically designed for foliar feeding.
If you are looking for a way to improve the health and productivity of your plants, foliar feeding is a great option. With a little care and attention, you can easily provide your plants with the nutrients they need to thrive.
What are the pathways essential nutrients can penetrate the plant?
There are three main pathways by which essential nutrients can penetrate a plant via foliar spray:
- Stomata: Stomata are small pores, typically about 0.05 to 0.1 millimeters in diameter. They are so small that they can only be seen with a microscope, on the surface of leaves that allow for gas exchange. Nutrients can be absorbed through stomata into the leaf cells. They are found on the underside of leaves, and they are surrounded by two guard cells. The guard cells control the opening and closing of the stomata.Stomata are found in all vascular plants, including trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers. Stomata are important for photosynthesis. They allow carbon dioxide to enter the leaves, where it is used to make food. Stomata also allow water vapour to escape from the leaves. This is important for transpiration, which is the process by which plants lose water.The opening and closing of the stomata are controlled by the guard cells. When the guard cells swell with water, they become turgid and the stomata open. When the guard cells lose water, they become flaccid and the stomata close.
The opening and closing of stomata are affected by a number of factors, including:
- Light: Stomata open in the light and close in the dark.
- Water: Stomata open when the plant has enough water and close when the plant is water stressed.
- CO2: Stomata open when the CO2 concentration in the air is high and close when the CO2 concentration is low.
- Temperature: Stomata open when the temperature is warm and close when the temperature is cold.
Stomata are an important part of the plant’s respiratory system. They allow for gas exchange, which is essential for photosynthesis and transpiration. Stomata can also be used to absorb minerals from the air.
- Cuticle: The cuticle is a waxy layer that covers the surface of leaves and other plant parts. It helps to protect the plant from water loss, pests, and disease. The cuticle is a relatively poor conductor of water and nutrients, so the ability of nutrients to enter the plant via the cuticle is limited. Nutrients can dissolve in the cuticle and be absorbed into the leaf cells.
- Direct penetration: Some nutrients can penetrate the leaf cells directly. This is more likely to occur with nutrients that are in a dissolved form.
The effectiveness of foliar feeding depends on a number of factors, including the type of nutrient, the concentration of the nutrient, the temperature, and the humidity.
In general, the higher the concentration of the mineral in the air, the more likely it is to enter the plant via the stomata. The humidity also affects the ability of minerals to enter the plant via the stomata. Minerals are more likely to enter the plant if the humidity is low. The temperature also affects the ability of minerals to enter the plant via the stomata. Minerals are more likely to enter the plant if the temperature is warm.
The type of plant also affects the ability of minerals to enter the plant via the stomata and cuticle. Some plants, such as tomatoes, are more susceptible to mineral uptake via the stomata and cuticle than other plants.
Stomata and cuticles are an important part of the plant’s respiratory system. They allow for gas exchange, which is essential for photosynthesis and transpiration. Stomata can also be used to absorb minerals from the air.
Foliar feeding is a method of applying nutrients to the leaves of plants. This can be an effective way to deliver nutrients to plants, especially those that are difficult to fertilize through the soil. However, it is important to note that foliar feeding is not a substitute for proper fertilization. Nutrients that are applied to the leaves of plants may not be absorbed as efficiently as nutrients that are applied to the soil.
If you are considering foliar feeding your plants, it is important to consult with a qualified horticulturist to ensure that you are using the correct fertilizer and that you are applying it in the correct way.
Credit: Guard cells Opening and Closing of Stomata image by Ali Zifan, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
