Foliar nutrition in vegetables: A review

Abstract

Vegetables being a rich source of vitamins, minerals and non- nutritive phytochemicals play a vital role in our diet. According to World Health Organization, lower intake of vegetables is one of the main risk factors for mortality. To make a healthy diet affordable to all, the gap between actual and potential yield of vegetables should be reduced. Foliar application of water soluble fertilizers can boost production in vegetables thus attaining the goal of food security. Foliar applied nutrients absorbed through stomata and cuticle. For better results, foliar application of nutrients at proper growth stage of crop is important. It is not an alternative to soil application, but supplement soil application especially when secondary and micro nutrient deficiencies arise. In spite of a few limitations foliar nutrition serves as an efficient means of nutrient management in vegetables. To combat the wide spread deficiencies of nutrients especially arising at the critical stages of crop growth foliar nutrition can be successfully adopted.