Study Shows Effective Zinc Fertilization through Leaves in Wheat

Researchers from the University of Cordoba have proved foliar application of fertilizer leads to better zinc absorption in wheat than the conventional way of applying fertilizer to soil.

The study tested different methods of zinc biofortification to wheat in calcareous soils in southern Spain for a period of eight years. The researchers applied different doses of fertilizer in the soil and different doses of zinc were sprayed to the plant leaves at various stages of the wheat's development. The results showed that the application of fertilizers to the soil was not very effective, but foliar application increased zinc concentrations in grains by up to 51% with just 10% of the fertilizers used.

"Foliar application is very valuable for places where there is no other source of zinc in diets, although it would entail adding another task to wheat cultivation, or combining it with the application of other phytosanitary treatments," said Antonio Sanchez-Rodriguez, the lead author of the study.

For more details, read the news release on Agriland and the article on Plant and Soil.