Foliar use of water soluble NPK grades, spray concentration, when foliar helps, limits.
Can I use 19:19:19 or 0:52:34 in a hand sprayer as a foliar feed?
SSuresh Annadurai6mo ago · 185 views
6 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓6mo ago
Yes, fully water soluble grades like 19:19:19 (a balanced starter and general feed) and 0:52:34 (high phosphorus and potassium for flowering and fruiting) are commonly used as foliar sprays, usually at about 5 to 10 g per litre of water. Foliar feeding gives a quick top up and is most useful to correct a temporary deficiency, support flowering and grain or fruit filling, or feed when roots cannot take up enough, but it cannot replace the bulk nutrients a crop needs through soil. Spray in cool morning or evening hours, cover both leaf sides, and avoid spraying in strong sun or just before rain. Do a small jar test before mixing with other products. Match grade and timing to crop stage and follow your KVK; do not over apply.
MMurugan Velliangiri5mo ago
I use 19:19:19 early for a general boost and switch to 0:52:34 at flowering and fruit set, and the timing really matters. The high P and K grade at flowering gave my crop better fruit setting. Using the wrong grade at the wrong stage just wastes it. Match the grade to what the crop is doing.
KKaruppasamy Ramalingam5mo ago
Make sure you buy the fully water soluble grade, not ordinary fertiliser. The first time I tried dissolving a cheap grade it left grit that clogged my sprayer nozzle and would not fully mix. The proper soluble powder dissolves clear. Strain the solution too before filling the tank.
SSelvakumar Thangavel4mo ago
Do not think foliar feeding can replace your soil fertiliser. I tried to cut my soil dose and just spray, and the crop went hungry because the leaf can only take in small amounts at a time. Spray it as a top up on top of proper soil nutrition, in the cool hours, and it does its job.
MMurugan Sellappan4mo ago
I use 19:19:19 early for a general lift and switch to 0:52:34 at flowering and fruit set, and the timing is everything. The high P and K grade at flowering improved my fruit setting. The wrong grade at the wrong stage just wastes money.
KKarthik Subbu4mo ago
Buy the fully water soluble grade, not ordinary fertiliser, or it clogs the sprayer. A cheap grade once left grit that blocked my nozzle and would not dissolve clear. Strain the solution before filling the tank to be safe.