Foliar Fertilization of Crop Plants in Polish Agriculture

Foliar fertilization makes it possible to quickly supply plants with deficient nutrients, in case of both their deficiency in the soil and hindered uptake. Crops are characterized by varying nutrient requirements for micronutrients, as well as varying sensitivity to their deficiency. The paper presents practical aspects of the foliar feeding of plants with micronutrients using foliar fertilizers, and their general classification and characteristics. The requirements of basic crops (cereals, rapeseed and corn) for the application of micronutrient fertilization and the degree of their sensitivity to micronutrient deficiency were characterized. The market of foliar fertilizers and the directions of its development were evaluated. The possibilities of foliar fertilizers containing amino acids and silicon, and the possibility of using them for biofortification are presented. It was found that foliar fertilization is one of the most popular and effective methods for the biofortification of plants, as it allows the delivery of the right amount of specific elements in a specific stage of plant development and is thus an economical and environmentally safe procedure. In conclusion, the analysis of the foliar fertilizer market shows that its development is very dynamic, and foliar fertilization is becoming one of the basic elements in effective crop production. Further expansion of the range of foliar fertilizers produced should be expected in accordance with the growing expectations of agricultural producers.