foliar-nutrition
Foliar nutrition is the practice of applying nutrients directly to plant leaves, allowing for rapid absorption through the leaf surface rather than relying solely on root uptake from the soil. This technique is significant in plant science because it can correct nutrient deficiencies more quickly than soil amendments and remains effective even when soil conditions—such as poor pH, compaction, or low microbial activity—limit root absorption. Researchers study foliar nutrition to optimize fertilizer efficiency, improve crop quality, and support plant health under stress conditions.
open_in_new WikipediaEurope PMC · 2026-04-26
Spraying peach trees with a combination of zinc nanoparticles and spirulina algae extract nearly doubled fruit yield and dramatically improved sweetness and firmness while cutting post-harvest rot by nearly half. This simple foliar treatment could offer peach growers a practical, high-impact tool for boosting both quantity and quality of their harvest.
Fruit yield per tree more than doubled (+107.5%) under the optimal treatment of 2500 ppm spirulina extract combined with 6 mL/L zinc nanoparticles.
Fruit sweetness (measured as total soluble solids) increased by 83.7% and firmness improved by 62.9%, significantly enhancing eating quality.
Post-harvest fruit decay dropped by 44.5% with the combined treatment, reducing spoilage losses after harvest.
