Foliar Fertiliser versus Soil Fertiliser

  • A guide to the key differences.
  • A plan for utilising the benefits of both.
There are key differences between the benefits delivered by both foliar fertilisers and soil fertilisers. As RLF's Integrated Fertiliser Management (IFM) concept is to utilise the full range of benefits from the seed, the soil and the leaf, is is important to understand the key benefits delivered by attention to both the seed (through seed priming) and the leaf (through the application of a foliar spray). Reducing the use of granular fertilisers through the soil brings both cost and crop gains.


Overview
Foliar Fertilisers
Soil Fertilisers
Less energy used for ion uptake

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

Less energy used for ion uptake

0% phosphate fixation

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

0% phosphate fixation

Nitrogen and Potassium (N & K) uptake efficiency around 90%

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

Nitrogen and Potassium (N & K) uptake efficiency around 90%

No phosphate loss in sand soil

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

No phosphate loss in sand soil

No nitrogen loss as ammonia gas

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

No nitrogen loss as ammonia gas

No nitrogen lost as nitrate

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

No nitrogen lost as nitrate

No impact on soil acidification

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

No impact on soil acidification

More rhizobial activity

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

More rhizobial activity

No need for lime compensation

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

No need for lime compensation

Foliar stimulates photosynthesis

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

Foliar stimulates photosynthesis

Stimulates phloem loading of sugar

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

Stimulates phloem loading of sugar

Stimulates transport of sugar and phosphorus

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

Stimulates transport of sugar
and phosphorus

Stimulates active root exudation

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

Stimulates active root exudation

Stimulates rhizosphere activity

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

Stimulates rhizosphere activity

Exudates unlock phosphorus

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

Exudates unlock phosphorus

Exudates chelate more metals

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

Exudates chelate more metals

More rhizosphere bacteria

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

More rhizosphere bacteria

More N2 - fixed by free living bacteria

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

More N2 - fixed by free living bacteria

Less energy used by the plant

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

Less energy used by the plant

More plant productivity (growth)

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

More plant productivity (growth)

Better soil sustainability and stability

FOLIAR FERTILISERS

Better soil sustainability and stability

More energy used for ion uptake

SOIL FERTILISERS

More energy used for ion uptake

At least 90% phosphate fixation

SOIL FERTILISERS

At least 90% phosphate fixation

Nitrogen and Potassium (N & K) uptake efficiency around 60%

SOIL FERTILISERS

Nitrogen and Potassium (N & K) uptake efficiency around 60%

Phosphate loss in sandy soil

SOIL FERTILISERS

Phosphate loss in sandy soil

Nitrogen lost as ammonia

SOIL FERTILISERS

Nitrogen lost as ammonia

Nitrogen lost as nitrate

SOIL FERTILISERS

Nitrogen lost as nitrate

Increased soil acidification

SOIL FERTILISERS

Increased soil acidification

Rhizobial activity may be reduced

SOIL FERTILISERS

Rhizobial activity may be reduced

Lime required to compensate acidification

SOIL FERTILISERS

Lime required to compensate acidification

No direct impact on photosynthesis

SOIL FERTILISERS

No direct impact on photosynthesis

No direct impact on phloem loading

SOIL FERTILISERS

No direct impact on phloem loading

No parallel effect on sugar and phosphorus

SOIL FERTILISERS

No parallel effect on sugar
and phosphorus

No parallel effect on root exudation

SOIL FERTILISERS

No parallel effect on root exudation

No parallel effect on rhizosphere

SOIL FERTILISERS

No parallel effect on rhizosphere

No parallel effect on the unlocking of phosphorus

SOIL FERTILISERS

No parallel effect on the unlocking
of phosphorus

No parallel effect on chelating metals

SOIL FERTILISERS

No parallel effect on chelating metals

No parallel effect on rhizosphere bacteria

SOIL FERTILISERS

No parallel effect on rhizosphere bacteria

No parallel effect on N2 fixation

SOIL FERTILISERS

No parallel effect on N2 fixation

More energy used by the plant

SOIL FERTILISERS

More energy used by the plant

Less plant growth

SOIL FERTILISERS

Less plant growth

Less soil sustainability and stability

SOIL FERTILISERS

Less soil sustainability and stability





Conlusion


Understanding the differences, and the particular strengths of the different forms of fertilisers available to the market today, can equip farmers and growers with the information and knowledge needed to plan and make decisions that increases productivity and enhances both crop and commercial outcomes.


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