Advantages and disadvantages of foliar fertilization

Biljke, osim korijenom, mogu usvajati hraniva i putem nadzemnih organa, najčešće preko lista (folijarno). Folijarnu gnojidbu primjenjujemo kada je onemogućeno ili smanjeno usvajanje hraniva putem korijena zbog suše, nedostatka elemenata u tlu, nedovoljno razvijenog korijena itd. Učinkovitost folijarne gnojidbe ovisi o pravilnom odabiru faze rasta biljke u kojoj se primjenjuje gnojivo, stanju usjeva i odgovarajućim meteorološkim prilikama. Folijarna gnojidba ima svoje prednosti i nedostatke. Prednosti folijarne gnojidbe su brzo usvajanje preko lista, moguća primjena s pesticidima ili hormonima rasta, adekvatna opskrbljenost biljnim hranivima neovisno o uvjetima u tlu, brže usvajanje hraniva i veća otpornost biljaka na vanjske utjecaje, bolesti i štetočine. Nedostaci folijarne gnojidbe očituju se kroz mali intenzitet prodiranja otopine gnojiva kod biljaka s debelom kutikulom, mogućnost ispiranja gnojiva kišom, brzo sušenje otopine pri visokim temperaturama, ograničenje doze gnojiva zbog nužnosti primjene niske koncentracije, veći broj aplikacija za minimalan učinak, ovisnost o veličini lisne površine te mogućnost oštećenja lista u slučajevima primjene visoke koncentracije.Plants, other than via roots, can also uptake nutrients via aboveground organs, most often over the leaf (foliar). Foliar fertilization is applied when nutrients uptake by roots are disabled or reduced due to drought, nutrient deficiency, insufficiently developed root, etc. The eficiency of foliar fertilization depends on the proper selection of the growth phase of the plant where the fertilizer is applied, crop conditions and the appropriate meteorological conditions. Foliar fertilization has its advantages and disadvantages. The adventages of foliar fertilization are fast absorption through the leaf, possibility of application with pesticides or growth hormones, possible application with pesticides or growth hormones, adequate nutrient supply irrespective of soil conditions, faster nutrient uptakes in plant and greater plant resistance to external influences, diseases and pests. The disadventages of foliar fertilization are manifested through a weaker penetration intensity of the fertilizer solution in plants with thick cuticle, the ability to rinse the fertilizer with rain, the rapid drying of the solution at high temperatures, the fertilizer dose limit due to the need for low concentration, and the possibility of damage to the leaf in cases of high concentration application