Foliar Application of Major Nutrients to Fruit and Plantation Crops

Abstract

Possible advantages of foliar application of nutrients–in efficiency, speed, cheapness, and effect on crop quality–-have attracted attention for many years. Progress has been most rapid for fruit and plantation crops, especially in the last decade; but the promise of foliar application of nutrients and the risk of injury to the foliage may be appraised only by the study of individual crops, as is done in the present review.

Translocation of Foliar-applied Urea 15N to Reproductive and Vegetative Sinks of Avocado and Its Effect on Initial Fruit Set

“…This vegetative sink probably sustains the N translocation to reproductive sink as well. However, at a later stage, competition for N among vegetative and reproductive sinks might be demonstrated by increasing yield following foliar application of urea both in avocado (1) and in deciduous crops (8,13,18,22).…”

“…Foliage-applied urea N reportedly increased fruit set in avocado (1) and other species, presumably when the internal pools of N were limiting (8,13,18,22). Foliar uptake, metabolism, and translocation of urea is rapid in avocado (16) and other species (7,13,15,18,22).…”

“…Foliage-applied urea N reportedly increased fruit set in avocado (1) and other species, presumably when the internal pools of N were limiting (8,13,18,22). Foliar uptake, metabolism, and translocation of urea is rapid in avocado (16) and other species (7,13,15,18,22). Using isotopically labeled N, it has been possible to demonstrate that rapidly developing inflorescences and fruits are a strong N sink (15).…”