Foliar Fertilisers

Providing essential nutrients to cotton through EASY Liquids

Foliar fertilisers for cotton
Approximate rates of absorption by leaves
Application guidelines

Foliar fertilisers for cotton

Product (w/v) %	Rate of Product (L or kg/ha)	Typical Spray concentration (1% = 1kg or L/100L water)	Practical Solubility at 20°C	Application Notes
EASY N® (42% N)	10 – 20 L/ha	Can be applied neat	N/A	Apply 24 hours prior to irrigation where waterlogging is expected, during periods of rapid growth (800 to 1500 DD) or at the appearance of deficiency symptoms.
EASY PK® (1% N, 12% P, 24% K)	5 – 15 L/ha	Can be applied neat. For better coverage apply as a 5% spray by ground, 10% by air.	N/A	Foliar sprays of EASY PK can be used to supplement, but not replace soil applications of potassium and phosphorus during peaks in demand. For fields prone to early senescence, apply 3 – 5 applications from first flowers to first open boll.
EASY KS® (30% K, 25% S)	5 – 10 L/ha	1 – 2%	N/A	EASY KS must not be applied neat by mister or boom-spray as the fertiliser solution will burn the leaves. In field crops, a minimum spray volume of 500 L/ha should be used. For fields prone to early senescence apply 3 – 5 times from first flowers to first open boll.
Liquifert® N (46% N)	5 – 10 kg/ha	10 – 15%	35 kg/100L water	Apply 24 hours prior to irrigation where waterlogging is expected, during periods of rapid growth (800 to 1500 DD) or at the appearance of deficiency symptoms. Several sprays may be made during the growing season.
Liquifert P (12% N, 26.6% P	2 – 5 kg/ha	1 – 5%	20 kg/100L water	Foliar sprays of Liquifert P can be used to supplement, but not replace soil applications of phosphorus. It is valuable when phosphorus uptake may be reduced by soil or climatic conditions early in the season, for example herbicide damage or cool wet soils.
Liquifert K Nitrate (13.2% N, 38% K)	5 – 10 kg/ha	5 – 20%	15 kg/100L water	Foliar sprays of Liquifert K Nitrate can be used to supplement, but not replace soil applications of potassium fertiliser during peak demand. For fields prone to early senescence apply 3 – 5 times from first flowers to first open boll. Potassium nitrate causes water temperature to fall on dissolving. If practical, heating the water will make the fertiliser easier to dissolve.
Liquifert K Spray (42% K, 18% S)	5 – 10 kg/ha	1 – 5%	8 kg/100L	Foliar sprays of Liquifert K Spray can be used to supplement, but not replace soil applications of potassium fertiliser during peak demand. For fields prone to early senescence apply 3 – 5 times from first flowers to first open boll. Liquifert K-Nitrate (potassium nitrate) is often used in preference to Liquifert K-Spray (potassium sulfate), particularly where low volume sprays are used.
Liquifert MKP (22.9% P, 28.6%K)	5 – 10 kg/ha	Up to 5% by ground or 10% by air	10 kg/100L water	Foliar sprays of Liquifert MKP can be used to supplement, but not replace soil applications of potassium and phosphorus, during peak demand. For fields prone to early senescence apply 3 – 5 times from first flowers to first open boll.
Liquifert Zinc (22% Zn, 10% S)	1 – 2 kg/ha	1 – 5%	50 kg/100L water	In cotton, spray volumes of up to 100 L/ha are used, though typically they are lower, such as 30 – 50 L/ha.
Solubor (20% B)	0.1 kg/ha	0.45%	5 kg/100L water	In cotton, spray volumes of up to 25 L/ha are commonly used. Use multiple foliar sprays weekly 3 – 5 times after flower initiation and during boll development. Solubor can be applied alone or with insecticides to plants.

For further information on EASY Liquids, see your local Incitec Pivot Distributor Agronomist.

With the exception of some trace elements, foliar fertilisation can supplement, but not substitute fertilisers applied via the soil in cotton.

Generally, foliar fertilisation should be used strategically when the development or growth of the crop needs to be promoted. The following situations are examples of where foliar fertilisation can be beneficial.

When nutrient uptake is rapid

The nutrient requirements of cotton are not uniform, but exhibit peaks of demand. Foliar fertilisers are most effective when a cotton crop’s daily nutrient uptake is increasing.

When growth is limited by stress

Applications of foliar fertilisers during periods of low temperatures, moisture stress, waterlogged soil, disease, insect attack or hail damage can alleviate nutrient deficiencies arising from the plant’s inability or inefficiency to utilise soil nutrients.

At the appearance of deficiency symptoms

Foliar sprays are one of the quickest methods of correcting a nutrient deficiency. However, yields are likely to be reduced by the time visual deficiency symptoms appear as yield depression can in fact occur without deficiency symptoms being evident.

Preventative treatments are advisable. Foliar fertilisation following the appearance of deficiency symptoms can often limit further yield loss.

Nutrient uptake

In principle, the leaves can take up all the nutrients that are utilised by the cotton plant if they are foliar applied in a water-soluble form. However, it is frequently impractical and uneconomical to apply all of the crop’s required nutrients with

foliar applications. Crop roots are the prime site for nutrient uptake.

Regardless of nutrient demand, the foliage will absorb most of the nutrient applied within several hours or a day.

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Approximate rates of absorption by leaves

Mobility rate Nutrient

Mobility rate	Nutrient
Rapid absorption (half to two thirds absorbed in 4-6 hours)	Nitrogen, potassium and zinc
Moderately rapid absorption	Phosphorus, manganese, boron, sulphur
Slow absorption (may take several days)	Iron, molybdenum, copper, magnesium

Mobility of nutrients within the plant

Mobility rate	Nutrient
Mobile	Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium
Moderate-slightly mobile	Iron, copper, zinc, molybdenum, sulphur
Relatively immobile	Calcium, boron, manganese

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Application guidelines

Follow these guidelines for maximum effectiveness when applying foliar sprays:

Cover leaves with a uniform layer of spray on both sides.
Distribute the amount of nutrient on the leaves as finely and as uniformly as possible.
Use a non-ionic wetting agent to aid nutrient absorption into plant foliage.
Ensure spray concentrations are not so high that they are causing phytotoxic effects on the crop.
Use large volumes of solution to maximise coverage of the foliage and prolong the period of wetting.
Avoid over-wetting the crop, as it leads to spray run-off and subsequent loss of some applied nutrient.
Do not spray in hot dry conditions.
Apply under cool humid conditions when evaporation rates are low and the period of crop wetting is maximised, for example, in the early morning. Do not spray in the heat of the day.
Treat crops while they are actively growing. Plants should not be treated while wilting, as the absorption of nutrients into plant foliage is severely impaired.
Test spray a few plants and look for signs of leaf burn (phototoxicity) for 3 – 4 days before spraying the crop if spraying for the first time, or if conditions change.
Use good quality water.
Check compatibility before mixing large quantities of multiple products.
Get agronomic advice to determine appropriate application rates and keep to their recommendations.

For more information, contact your local Incitec Pivot Fertilisers’ Distributor or freecall 1800 009 832.

www.incitecpivot.com.au

This is a guide only, which we hope you find helpful as a general tool. While Incitec Pivot Fertilisers has taken all reasonable care in the preparation of this guide, it should not be relied on as a substitute for tailored professional advice and Incitec Pivot Fertilisers accepts no liability in connection with this guide. Talk to your local Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Distributor Agronomist about soil testing and arranging a specific fertiliser recommendation that best suits your needs.

® EASY Liquids, EASY N, EASY PK, EASY KS and Liquifert are registered trademarks of Incitec Pivot Limited. ™ EASY NP, EASY NP + Zn and EASY NPK 27 are trademarks of Incitec Pivot Limited. ® Coppersol, Zincsol and Mangasol are registered trademarks of Top Australia Limited.

and EASY NPK 27 are trademarks of Incitec Pivot Limited. ® Triflur Xcel is a registered trademark of Nufarm Australia Limited.

Incitec Pivot Fertilisers is a business of Incitec Pivot Limited, ABN 42 004 080 264.

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