Foliar spray is the application of fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides directly on leaves and stem instead of applying them near roots.
They are directly applied on leaves and it helps in preventing pests, eggs, fungi and any infections that occur in any stage of plant growth.
The outer cellular layer of the leaves absorbs the applied fertilizer or fungicide.
Foliar spray is the only solution when roots gets damaged due to insects, infections etc.
Foliar Spray Application
- Foliar sprays are applied when the stomata of leaves are opened i.e., either in the morning or evening.
- The temp should be below 24 degrees centigrade during the application of foiler spray.
When nitrogen fertilizers are introduced through foiler sprays, the nitrogen deficiency can be dwindled.
Organic Foliar Spray:
Foliar Sprays With Fruits:
- Fruits or fruit peel, jaggery and water are taken in the ratio of 1:1:6 in an air tight container and should be fermented for 3 months.
- After the fermentation period, the fermented liquid is filtered to remove detritus.
- This thick fermented liquid is diluted with water in the ratio of 1:10 and used as foliar spray.
Panchagavya:
- Cow byproducts like dung, urine, milk, curd and ghee are taken in respective proportions (1 kilo gram: 1 liter : 1 liter : 1 kilo gram: 1 kilo gram) and are fermented for 15- 20 days.
- You can add 200 grams of jaggery when you are maintaining the above proportions.
- Stir the mixture twice a day to remove the gases. When gases stop releasing, conform that panchagavya is ready for use.
- Panchagavya is very nutritious to plants. It helps in the growth of useful microbes.
Compost tea:
- Fill the 1/3 bucket with fine compost and remaining with water.
- Add jaggery to it in small proportions.
- Keep the bucket aside for 4-5 days . Filter the liquid using porous cloth.
- Now dilute this filtered liquid with water (1:10 for normal plants, 1:15 for young plant) and use as foilar sprays.
We can make different type of foliar sprays from house hold items listed below.
- Neem oil
- Neem leaves juice
- Boiled and cooled cinnamon water
- Comfrey tea
- Guava leaves juice
- Jasmine leaves juice
- Bitter guard juice
- Diluted cow urine
- Diluted human urine
- Fermented buttermilk
- Ajwain water
- Epsom salt mixed in water etc.
Its selection depends on purpose i.e., either to control pest or remove the eggs.
