Research Coordinator: Dr. Akim Omokanye
Collaborating Producer: Paul & Lori Kinnee, Brownvale (MD of Peace)
From: Peace Country Beef & Forage Association 2013 Annual Report
Foliar nutrients are mobilized directly into plant leaves, which is the goal of fertilization to begin with, increasing the rate of photosynthesis in the leaves, and by doing so stimulating nutrient absorption by plant roots. Foliar fertilization is by far the most effective way to apply micro nutrients or trace elements, and supplement the major elements. The readily-available nutrients are more easily utilized, because they do not have to be dissolved by moisture and go into the soil solution. Foliar fertilizers used in conjunction with solid fertilizers, can be used to quickly correct a nutrient imbalance and stimulate increase in root uptake. This does not mean that foliar fertilizers replace solid fertilizer, but the use of foliar fertilizer has been shown to increase the availability of the applied major elements, that have been applied in solid form. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of soil rejuvenation versus foliar fertilizer forage growth, yield and quality.
Methods
The project was located in Brownvale (MD of Peace) on RGE road 263 and on 225 acres of land. The site was used as a hay field for years, but used as pasture for the last 4 years. Dominant forages are fescue, timothy and quack grass, and some alfalfa and a few stands of clover.
A section of a 75 acre field was used for the demonstration. There were four soil/plant nutrient/fertilizer treatments, which consisted of the following:
1. Check control
2. Best Soil Rejuvenation (BSR) - in liquid form (0.1% N - 0.02% P - 0.14% K - 0.007% S - 0.013% Ca)
3. Best Foliar fertilizer (BFF) - in granular form (7% N - 35% P - 8% K - 2% Mg - 6% S)
4. A combination of treatments 2 & 3 above
Spraying was done twice, with about 5 weeks between sprayings. Application rates used are: