Foliar spray for increasing grain yield of wheat is a popular agricultural practice adopted by farmers worldwide. It is known to be an efficient and cost-effective way to boost wheat production, especially in regions where soil nutrient deficiencies are an issue. In this article, we will discuss what foliar spray is, its benefits, and how to do it.
What is Foliar Spray?
Foliar spray is a practice which involves spraying a liquid solution directly onto the leaves of plants. This agricultural technique is more efficient than fertilizing the soil, as it allows plants to directly absorb the nutrients through their leaves. By doing so, the plant experiences a rapid response, which leads to an increase in growth and yield.
Benefits of Foliar Spray
The benefits of foliar spraying on wheat plants are numerous, the most significant being:
1. Increased nutrient uptake – By spraying nutrients onto the leaves, plants can bypass any uptake or assimilation restrictions in the soil. Consequently, plants can experience faster growth and development, leading to improved yields.
2. Increased photosynthesis – Foliar spraying enhances the capacity of the plant to assimilate sunlight, thereby aiding their biochemical processes. This results in an improvement in plant physiology, a decrease in pest and disease damage, as well as increased grain quality and quantity.
3. Cost-effectiveness – Foliar spraying only involves spraying the required nutrients. Consequently, it is a cost-effective practice as it reduces the amount of fertilizer needed to achieve optimum yield.
How to do Foliar Spray on Wheat Plants
The following are the steps to follow when doing a foliar spray on wheat plants:
1. Choose the right product for foliar spray- Ensure that the product chosen contains essential micronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and magnesium.
2. Use the correct rate of application – The rates depend on the stage of growth plus the weather conditions. During the vegetative phase, wheat requires a small amount of nitrogen(10-20 kg/ha) and phosphorus(5-10kg/ha) sprayed weekly to cater for growth. However, during reproductive stages, high nitrogen and phosphorus rates are required (30-40 kg/ha) to enhance spikelet and grain filling.
3. Apply the solution at the right time – The solution should be applied during morning or evening hours but not when there is dew or rain. This is to ensure that the solution is not washed away before being absorbed by the leaves.
4. Use proper equipment – Use the appropriate nozzle and sprayer equipment to ensure that the solution is uniformly distributed on plants.
5. Monitor the plants – Observe the plants after spraying to determine the progress of growth and yield.
Conclusion
Foliar spray is an efficient agricultural practice that can help increase the yield of wheat plants. It is a cost-effective solution that promotes enhanced nutrient uptake and improved plant growth. Wheat farmers should adopt this technique in their crop management to benefit from its many advantages.