INTRODUCTION TO FOLIAR FERTILIZERS The basis of our agricultural 'system' is based on pasture and grazing, which replaces the

high input cost systems traditionally used in the Northern Hemisphere. The development of specialised cultivars of perennial ryegrass, and superior more nutritious strains of white clover, were significant breakthroughs which boosted productivity in New Zealand. In this 'system' farmers have been using foliar fertiliser since the early 1950's. Even though the subject of foliar fertilisation was little understood, 'experts' told farmers that they shouldn't use them, because in comparison to solid type fertilisers, foliars contained less nutrient. While it is true that the major elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) are more economically supplied in solid form, some 'experts' believed that it was only the quantity of these that counted. However, the mere presence of a particular chemical element in the soil does not gaurantee the effective assimilation of mineral fertilisers by plants. Nutrient demand curves indicate stages in a plant's life-cycle when the need for some nutrients may be greater than its physiological capacity to supply itself, even when these soil nutrients are abundantly available. Highly soluble potassium and nitrogen-based fertilisers can be easily washed out from the soil, and phosphate fertilisers can attach themselves to ions of potassium, magnesium, aluminium and iron into chemically insoluble form for plants. Foliar nutrients on the other hand are mobilised directly into plant leaves, which is the goal of fertilisation to begin with, increasing the rate of photosynthesis in the leaves, and by doing so stimulate nutrient absorption by plant roots. Foliar fertilisation is by far the most effective way to apply micro nutrients or trace elements, and supplement the major elements. The readily-available nutrients are more easily utilised, because they do not have to be dissolved by moisture and go into the soil solution. Foliar fertilisers used in conjunction with solid fertilisers, can be used to quickly correct a nutrient imbalance and stimulate increase in root uptake. This does not mean that foliar fertiliser replaces solid fertiliser, but the use of foliar fertiliser has been shown to increase the availability of the applied major elements, that have been applied in solid form. Foliar fertilisation can correct deficiencies, strengthen weak or damaged crops, speed growth and grow better plants, which is of course, the bottom line. WHAT IS FERTILISER ? Fertilisers are plant nutrients . Nutrients existing naturally in the soil, atmosphere, and in animal manure. However, naturally occurring nutrients are not always available in the forms that plants can use, or in the quantities needed. So we add to them by applying fertiliser, to make plants grow to their maximum potential. Fertilisers can be classified into two categories: organic or inorganic. Organic fertilisers are derived from living or once-living material, including animal wastes, crop residues, compost

and numerous other by-products of living organisms. Inorganic fertilisers are derived from non-living sources and include most of our man-made, commercial fertilisers. Man-made and natural fertilisers contain the same elements, but man-made fertilisers act more quickly . Why do we need Fertilizer? Often, the soil doesn't hold enough of these nutrients in the quantities needed for desirable growth and production. An element is considered essential if in its absence plant growth and reproduction is significantly hindered. The nutrients, that are in the soil, are often used up and need to be replaced. Therefore, we need to add extra plant nutrients to obtain maximum plant performance. Fertilisation: We often see quotes by various agricultural sources in NZ, the amount of the likes of phosphorus, sulphur and calcium that are removed from the soil in meat, milk, bone and wool. This, illustrates the importance of replacing these elements as they go out the farm gate, with the likes of superphosphate, which supplies phosphorus and sulphur. Tissue studies of plants have found more than 60 different mineral elements, although it has generally been accepted that 16 -17 elements are essential for plant growth. Many farmers in NZ are well aware of the consequences of low levels of copper or cobalt in pasture, and in some areas selenium, as well as magnesium (grass staggers), even iodine and zinc and in many cases calcium (as in milk fever). There are many cases where several of the nutrients are missing or are at such low levels that supplementation of the animal is necessary, otherwise the animal would die or be severely undernourished. Subclinical trace mineral deficiencies occur more frequently than recognized by many livestock producers and can be a bigger problem than acute mineral deficiencies, because the specific symptoms that are characteristic of a trace mineral deficiency are not seen. Instead, the animal grows or reproduces at a reduced rate, uses feed less efficiently and operates with a depressed immune system. The end result is inefficient production and lower profitability. When micro-nutrients become a limiting factor, water, fertiliser and other high-energy production inputs are wasted. In most cases the elements needed by the plant are also needed by the animal which feeds on the plant. Some elements needed by the animal are not required by the plant, but plants takes them up and makes them available to the animal, and therefore plays a significant role in animal health. Selenium, iodine and cobalt are examples. Seven trace minerals, have been shown to be needed in supplementing animal diets. They are iron, copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt, iodine and selenium. Soils Soils are derived from weathered parent material. If the original material was low in a particular element or non existant, so too is the resulting soil.

Soils can become depleted of minerals and trace elements which too are absorbed into the likes of meat, milk, bone, wool, vegetables and fruits, as well as the major elements, and many soils are naturally deficient in one or more of these elements. Within a space of just a kilometre or two, soils can be radically different, with.localised deficiencies of trace elements like copper, cobalt or selenium. Because our supply of minerals comes through the food chain, from the plants and animals we eat, and because these same minerals are essential ingredients of these same plants and animals, any that are missing can have serious implications for plant, animal and ultimately our own health. One has to conclude then, that this is where fertilization should start. Even though the major element solid type NPK fertilizer is required in the largest amounts, if used exclusively, sooner or later a deficiency of a minor element can occur in soils low in that particular element, and it too should be replaced. Foliar nutrients can quickly correct a nutrient imbalance, and are by far the most effective way to apply micro nutrients or trace elements and supplement the major elements , because foliar nutrients are readily available and more easily utilized by the plant than soil nutrients. WHAT IS FOLIAR FERTILIZER? Foliar fertilisation is any fertilising substance applied in a liquid form. Foliars in their most basic form, often used by home gardeners use animal manures, or seaweed collected from the beach, suspended in water, until all the 'goodness' has been extracted. This is time consuming where a lot of effort is required for a small amount of nutrient. By contrast, modern foliar fertilizers are concentrated solutions using very high grade technical elements, in which the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are combined to the desired ratio in a controlled environment. The fertilising elements in this method are true solutions, soluble, and thus very plant available. This is in contrast to soil applied (solid) fertilizer, which is applied as a powder or granules to the soil in dry form. This then, has to be dissolved, by moisture (rain) to be plant available via the roots. In other words, it has to dissolve into the soil solution to be available. To these foliar solutions, trace elements in the form of chelates are added, along with seaweed and /or humic acid, or other additives depending on preference, to give a balanced fertilizer, supplying not only NPK, but all the trace elements as well as growth hormones, vitamins etc. Many different NPK formulation combinations can be made, depending on the application required. The same elements that make up foliar fertilizer are required for plant growth and development, and are formulated to meet quite specific plant requirements. (see Table 1.) Plants are composed of the various elements in the proportions indicated below on which modern foliar fertilizers are based. 16 elements are considered essential for plant growth, Table 1. Internal Concentrations of Essential Elements in Higher Plants

Concentration in Dry Tissue Element ppm % Hydrogen 60,000 6 Carbon 450,000 45 Oxygen 450,000 45 Nitrogen 15,000 1.5 Potassium 10,000 1.0 Calcium 5,000 0.5 Magnesium 2,000 0.2 Phosphorus 2,000 0.2 Sulphur 1,000 0.1 Chlorine 100 0.01 Boron 20 0.002 Iron 100 0.01 Manganese 50 0.005 Zinc 20 0.002 Copper 6 0.0006 Molybdenum 0.1 0.00001 These essential elements are divided into two groups: the macronutrients; those required in relatively large quantities including carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur and the micronutrients, those required in small quantities; including iron, chlorine, manganese, boron, zinc, copper and molybdenum. You will see that by far the biggest proportion is hydrogen, carbon and oxygen which makes up 96% of the plant and are freely available from the air and water. All of the other elements make up the remaining 4%, of which the major elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium make up 2.7%, leaving 1.3% minor or trace elements. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen which form the actual plant structure are readily obtainable from air and water, specifically carbon dioxide or water. Along with chlorine, which is found in most water sources, these elements are generally not considered in the formulation of foliar solutions. The following illustrates the amount of each nutrient in Kgs/ Hectare, in pasture of 2000 kg DM/ Hectare: Table 2 Nitrogen 90 Phosphorus 7 Potassium 44 Sulphur 6 Calcium 5 Magnesium 4 Sodium 3 Zinc .03 Copper .01 Boron .05 Cobalt .0002 Selenium .000008 Depending on the application required, foliar fertilizers can be formulated to meet very specific plant requirements. For example a high nitrogen formulation is used when the demand in plants is for more nitrogen in relation to phosphorus and potassium, but the formulation is changed for growth periods that require higher phosphorus and / or potassium, in relation to the demand for nitrogen. This often happens when a plant is under stress, which coincides with periods of great growth, such as when a plant is changing from a vegetative to a reproductive stage. At the same time, the exact plant requirement for trace elements can be addressed, as a result of leaf analysis FOLIAR FERTILIZER IS A PARTICULARLY USEFULL TECHNIQUE

Certain soil conditions, such as pH, excess moisture, or cool temperatures, may render a nutrient or nutrients unavailable to the plant root. Nutrient demand curves indicate that there are stages in a plant's life-cycle when demand for some nutrients may be greater than its physiological capacity to supply itself, even when these soil nutrients are available in abundant supply. This often occurs during the development of fruit or grain. Data from trials on crops, show that increases in yield and/or grade results from applications of foliar nutrients during these periods of peak demand. Foliar fertilizers can be designed to meet a plants specific needs for one or more micro and macro nutrients-especially trace minerals and enables you to correct deficiencies, strengthen weak or damaged crops, speed growth and grow better plants, which is of course, the bottom line. Foliar applications can be targeted to a particular stage of crop development to achieve specific objectives and is an excellent way to "fine tune" a high fertility program. Plant hormones Plant hormones, are specialised chemical substances produced by plants. Foliar fertilization is a particularly useful technique: and are the main internal factors controlling growth and development. in very small amounts. Depending on the target tissue, a given hormone may have different effects. Auxin, one of the most important plant hormones, is produced by growing stem tips and transported to other areas where it may either promote growth or inhibit it. It also retards the abscission (dropping off) of flowers, fruits, and leaves. Commercially, synthetic auxins are used to initiate adventitous roots from plant cuttings eg. in nurseries. Weed control by another synthetic auxin, 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), is widespread as a selective herbicide against broadleaf weeds. EFFICIENCY OF UTILIZATION OF FERTILIZER SPRAYS: Here are some striking examples of comparisons of foliar fertilizers versus soil applications. Such ratios favouring foliar applications exist only under extreme conditions of soil fixation. Nevertheless, they single out the effectiveness of leaves as organs for absorption. Related to the marked efficiency in absorption of nutritional sprays may be indirect effects of this method of applying fertilizer on other plant processes. Comparative efficiency of foliar and soil applications of fertilizer. Approximate ratios of amounts required for comparable Authority responses Nutrient and salt Type of Crop Foliar Soil Authority Zinc (ZnSO4) Annual crops 1 12 Lingle & Holmberg (1956) Phosphorus (H3PO4) beans,tomatoes 1 20 Wittwer, et al. (1957) Iron (FeSO4) grain sorghum 1 25 Withee & Carlson (1959) Magnesium (MgSO4) grain sorghum 1 100 Krantz (1962) celery 1 50100 Johnson, et al.(1957, 1961)

Where isotopes showed that it was 8 -10 times more effective to foliar feed a plant as far as the amount of nutrients required and the speed with which those nutrients were utilized, the above authorities found the figure to be between 12 and 100 times more effective. The readily- available nutrients are more easily utilised, as they are directly available to a plant and because they do not have to be dissolved by moisture before going into the soil solution and where they may be subjected to insolubalisation by incident anions such as carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide, etc, known as fixation. Also important in foliar fertilizers, is whether or not the products being used are chelated. Chelation, allows a nutrient to "maintain its own identity" within the spray tank, and not get tied up by other nutrients or pesticides being used with it. These days we have materials available which are ideally suited to spray applications. CHELATES What is a chelate? Chelates are organic molecules that can trap or encapsulate certain highly reactive trace metal cations which prevents them from entering into unwanted chemical reactions and forming insoluble compounds, which are unavailable. Chelates incorporate metal ions into a soluble but bound form, to make them available to the plant because they are very soluble in water. Chelation is bonding the metal ion to an organic molecule, making the metal ion highly soluble. A chelated form of a mineral has different qualities from the mineral itself. One quality that can change is bioavailability; the ability to absorb and use the mineral. Bioavailability can be increased or decreased depending on the mineral-chelate complex formed. Some synthetic metal-chelate complexs form extremely strong bonds and bind minerals so tightly that they are unavailable for their physiological functions, and if used in foliar fertilizer has a great deal of trouble releasing the metal ion once in the plant. Metal-chelate complexes used in foliar fertilizers need to form bonds strong enough to protect them from unwanted chemical reactions but once in the plant should release easily. Natural chelating agents do not share the problems of the synthetics and are state-of-the-art technology for delivering selected mineral and trace elements with maximum bioavailability, tolerability and safety If a yield-limiting deficit is suspected or established then the chelated mineral applied as a foliar will address that deficit more accurately and with greater speed than any other nutrient. These elements are far more easily absorbed by plant roots and leaves in this chelated form because of changes in the electrical charge from the trace minerals as a result of their organic encapsulation. The chelation process removes the positive charge from the metals, allowing the neutral or slightly negatively charged, chelated molecule to slide through the pores on the leaf and root surface more rapidly. These pores are negatively charged, so there is a problem with fixation of positively charged minerals at the pore entrance. There is no such restrictive barrier for the neutral, chelated mineral.

MOST COMMON REASONS FOR FAILURE The most common reason for failure of plant-growth regulators, micronutrients, and foliar spraysis that growers do not apply the material at the most critical time. Plants absorb nutrients as well as other chemicals (eg herbicides) through their foliage. Foliar fertilization is a particularly useful technique, when you understand the principles behind it. Foliar fertilization enables you to correct deficiencies, strengthen weak or damaged crops, speed growth and grow better plants, which is of course, the bottom line. The mere presence of a particular chemical element in the soil is not enough. Certain soil conditions, such as pH, excess moisture, or cool temperatures, may render a nutrient or nutrients unavailable to the plant root. One advantage of foliar fertilization is that it often brings about immediate improvement (within hours) in plant health and growth. Foliar fertilization can be designed to meet a plants specific needs for one or more micro and macro nutrients-especially trace minerals . More recently established, however, is the fact that foliar fertilization also stimulates the plant roots themselves to become more efficient in the uptake of all nutrient requirements. Foliars are best applied at nutritional stress periods and tend to increase the uptake of major nutrients far in excess of the input levels. Application: Foliars should be applied when the plant is not in water stress, neither too wet nor too dry and are best applied when the plant is cool and filled with water (turgid). Timing is crucial as applications that are misapplied or too late in the season may not be effective. The most critical times to apply are during periods of plant stress, which are during periods of great growth activity or when the plant is changing from a vegetative to a reproductive state. Most foliar sprays should contain nitrogen to act as an electrolyte to carry nutrients and a small amount of phosphorous is also recommended for internal circulation. Often, the major means of foliar absorption is through the stomata (specialized openings in the leaves). When the stomata are open, foliar absorption is often easier. Several techniques should be used when trying to maximize foliar absorption of nutrients. Nutrients are generally only absorbed while still wet on the leaf. This preferably means spraying during a cooler time of day, early in the morning, when humidity is up and leaves are wet with dew. Spraying in the middle of a hot day will give you reduced effectiveness in absorption. The best time to foliar fertilize is between 7am and 10am, or after 5pm, when the stomata are open. The optimum temperature is about 22 and if the temperature is 26 or above, the spray will be less effective. Always mix the spray thoroughly and apply in as fine a mist as possible. Try to coat both the upper and lower leaf surfaces where practical, as often the spray stays wet on the leaf longer and there are more stomata to facilitate absorption on the lower leaf surfaces of many plant varieties. Take care to avoid leaf burning when spraying in direct sunlight. The use of a quality wetting agent, will prevent formation of droplets on the leaves that act as prisms for the sunlight

to focus on and burn. It will also maximize the amount that will stick to the leaves and aids absorbtion. Low volume sprayers may not be as effective. HOW ARE NUTRIENTS TRANSPORTED? How are nutrients transported from the roots and leaves to those areas of the plants which require it? How does foliar spraying work when most people think that plant nutrition is a one-way movement from the roots to the leaves? Plants range in size and in some instances they can draw water and minerals through their vascular systems to elevations of hundreds of feet. A vascular network runs through the leaf, providing the cell walls with water and removing the food products of photosynthesis, as well as nutrients, to other parts of the plant. The vascular tissue system consists of two kinds of conducting tissues: the xylem, responsible for conduction of water and dissolved mineral nutrients, and the phloem, responsible for conduction of food. The xylem also stores food and helps support the plant. In simple terms the vascular system runs from the roots up and from the leaves down, providing two ways for nutrients to be distributed to areas of the plant. Plant hormones Plant hormones, specialised chemical substances produced by plants, are the main internal factors controlling growth and development. Hormones are produced in one part of a plant and transported to others, where they are effective in very small amounts. Depending on the target tissue, a given hormone may have different effects. Thus, auxin, one of the most important plant hormones, is produced by growing stem tips and transported to other areas where it may either promote growth or inhibit it. In stems, for example, auxin promotes cell elongation and the differentiation of vascular tissue, whereas in roots it inhibits growth in the main system but promotes the formation of adventitious roots. It also retards the abscission (dropping off) of flowers, fruits, and leaves. Commercially, synthetic auxins are used to initiate adventitous roots from plant cuttings eg. in a ges: Weed control by another synthetic auxin, 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), is widespread as a selective herbicide against broadleaf weeds. Water Foliar fertilisation increases chlorophyll production and synthesis in the cells of leaves most exposed to direct sunlight. This increase in cellular activity requires much more water by the leaf. This increase in water 'flow' automatically brings more fertilising elements into the plant via the vascular system, because we are stimulating the entire 'pumping' system. This increase in uptake automatically brings more fertilising elements to the plant via the vascular system. Plants contain a vast network of conduits, which consists of xylem and phloem tissues. These conducting tissues start in the roots and transect up through the stem, branching off into the branches and then branching even further into every leaf.

The suction that exists within the water-conducting cells arises from the evaporation of water molecules from the leaves. The loss of water from a leaf is comparable to placing suction to the end of a straw. If the vacuum or suction thus created is great enough, water will rise up through the straw. The main driving force of water uptake and transport into a plant is transpiration of water from leaves. Transpiration is the process of water evaporation through specialized openings in the leaves, called stomata. This chain of water molecules extends all the way from the leaves down to the roots and even extends out from the roots into the soil. Evaporation creates a negative water vapour pressure in the surrounding cells of the leaf. Once this happens, water is pulled into the leaf from the vascular tissue, the xylem, to replace the water that has transpired from the leaf. This pulling of water, will extend all the way down through the rest of the xylem column of the plant and into the xylem of the roots Finally, the negative water pressure that occurs in the roots will result in an increase of water uptake from the soil. SEAWEED A truly remarkable phenomenon is that seaweeds grow in the ocean and accumulates potassium but does not accumulate sodium. The concentration of sodium in sea water is nearly a hundred times the concentration of potassium; yet potassium is accumulated, and sodium is excluded by the seaweed. Liquid Seaweed is essentially an organic seaweed tea. It is sold as an extract which is diluted with water and applied to the soil, or most effectively used as a foliar spray. Seaweed has been used by plant growers for centuries, but beneficial results has only recently been attributed to the naturally occurring growth regulators and micronutrients in the seaweed. After years of research it has been established that seaweeds contain many naturally occurring plant growth regulators, namely cytokinins, gibberellins, and indoles. In addition, it contains micronutrients such as iron, copper, zinc, molybdenum, boron,manganese, and cobalt. To date more than 60 different types of nutrients have been confirmed. However seaweed in itself is not a plant food, rather it is classified as a "bio-stimulant." Many seaweed products also contain a chelating compound known as mannitol,which chelates micronutrients into forms that are readily available for plant use. Seaweed contains several chelating agents the most important of which is mannitol. Seaweed contains natural plant growth regulators. The major plant growth regulator are auxins, cytokinins, indoles and hormones. These are in very small quantities generally measured in parts per million. Seaweed stimulates beneficial soil microbial activity, particularly in soil around the feeder roots resulting in a substantially larger root mass where the beneficial fungi and bacteria known as "mycorrhizae" exist. This area of the soil is known as the "rhizosphere." The rhizosphere activity improves the plants ability to form healthier, stronger roots. Cytokinins are hormones that promote growth by speeding up the process of cell division making seaweed extract of value in treating tissue cultures.

When they are applied to foliage the leaves rejuvenate stimulating photosynthesis. Auxins, also hormones, occur in the roots and stems during cell division. They move to areas of cell elongation where they allow the walls of cells to stretch. Auxins actually give fruits and vegetables a naturally longer shelf life. This is known as delaying senescense: the deterioration of cells and tissues that results in rotting. Gibberellins are other important plant-growth hormones; more than 50 kinds are known. They control the elongation of stems, and they cause the germination of some grass seeds by initiating the production of enzymes that break down starch into sugars to nourish the plant embryo. Hundreds of research reports have been written about seaweed and the micronutrients and growth regulators contained within them. There are various methods used to identify the individual organic and inorganic compounds present in seaweed. Without identifying individual compounds, scientists can test for responses in plant material which resemble the responses of plants to known individual compounds, such as cytokinins, auxins and gibberellins, through the use of bio-assays. Farmers and gardeners should not become too involved in the science of why seaweed produces the results which have been demonstrated over decades of scientific research, field observations, and practical experience. Rather, they should concentrate on the benefits and results of using seaweed products in their homes, gardens, and fields. In recent years the results of scientific research provided evidence that seaweeds contain more than 70 microelements and is considerably higher than it is in terrestrial plants. Plants use tiny amounts of the micronutrients often measured in parts per million. This helps to explain why foliar spraying can be an effective way to deliver these nutrients to the plant. Seaweeds are found in all of the oceans except for the tropical western coast of Africa and western Central America. HUMUS Try planting seeds in pure clay retrieved from the bottom of a metre deep hole. There is no plant growth here, no matter how much N-P-K is applied. It is not possible to grow a crop in soil in the complete absence of organic carbon (humus). In the production of a fertile soil, organic substances play a direct part as they are the sources of plant nutrients which are liberated in available forms during mineralisation. The rise in popularity and use of mineral fertilisers enabled growers to directly supply plant nutrients to the soil, and rapid growth in agricultural productivity occurred. As a consequence, the importance of soil organic matter was somewhat neglected. Humus is a structureless colloidal material resulting from the decomposition (humification) of any type of dead organic matter (mostly plant residues and animal remains). It is a complex mixture including proteins, lignin (plant cell walls); fats, carbohydrates, and organic acids. These acids, humic acids and chelates, provide a storehouse of essential plant nutrients.

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It helps make some nutrients more soluble and available to plants. It provides a high water absorption and holding capacity and contributes to good soil structure. It buffers the soil and protects plants from drastic changes in pH. Humus and soil life work together for plants benefits. Organic carbon is created from the breakdown of organic matter (usually in the form of crop residues) by bacteria and fungi. The conversion and availability of all mineral elements are related to, and regulated by this system of decay in the soil. This is the environment necessary for the decomposing micro-organisms to flourish. Crop residues are converted into carbon dioxide, carbonic acid and numerous mild organic acids. These acids, stored in the humus complex, are necessary to convert, chelate, and release soil minerals. Everyone knows that plant needs light, heat and moisture, as well as good fertile soil with the whole set of macro and micro elements to flourish. But the real problem is that assimilation of those elements is impossible without some special organic substance, which is called "humus". The main compound of humus are humic acids; which have originated during the decomposition of plant and animal residues by microorganisms, under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, usually in soils, composts, peat bogs, and water basins. The Importance of Organic Matter The importance of organic matter in soil is not a recent discovery. Soil fertility in early agricultural systems was based on the recycling of organic wastes. The addition of decomposed organic materials improved plant growth. Besides being a source of nutrients for the plant, organic matter has a fundamental effect on the physical properties of the soil (water-holding capacity) and determines to a large degree such properties as the exchange capacity and buffering properties. These properties are of great importance, not only in controlling the uptake of nutrients by the plant and their retention in the soil, but also in suppressing the deleterious effect of soil acidity. Effect of Management Practices on Soil Organic Matter. Cultivation of soils usually causes a decrease in the organic matter content. For most soils, a high level of organic matter is maintained only by grass species. Conventional sources of applied organic matter such as farm manures or crop residues are not normally used due to lack of availability or prohibitive cost. Non-conventional Sources of Organic Matter: Humate products for agricultural use are produced through mineral sand mining. The end product contains a majority of organic material (concentrated humic acid ) mixed with smaller amounts of mineral matter. Humate concentrates provide many of the advantages of conventional organic matter sources with less handling problems, especially in situations where there is no feasible alternative to purchasing additional supplies of humus. They have been demonstrated to have favourable effects on tissue nutrient balance, fertilizer uptake, top and root

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growth, crop yield and quality for a large variety of field and horticultural plants. Here we get help of new and high tech products . If we defined humus as the base of fertility, we can define these high tech products as a concentrate of vital strength of humus, produced by nature during evolution. The importance of organic matter in soil cannot be over emphasized. Soil life depends in large part on organic matter. The bacterial, earthworms, fungi, actinomycetes and nematodes all in some way depend on organic matter. HUMIC ACID Humic Acid comes entirely from vegetation which was laid down in the Carboniferous Period . Millions of years ago, earth's mineral-rich soils produced a profusion of lush green forests, succulent fruits and vegetables. As this lush growth of vegetation died, it accumulated and later, was buried by rock and mudflows and deposits of sand and silt. The weight of these deposits compacted and compressed out all of the moisture. Over the ages, the vegetation underwent compaction and heating. It slowly carbonized and became coal. This compaction squeezed out the organic acids and esters present in the vegetation and formed a pool on top of the lignite coal bed. This pool dried and aged and eventually formed Leonardite shale. What remains today is a deposit of dried, prehistoric plant derivatives. During this process simple products of decomposition: amino acids, carbohydrates and phenols, turn into very complex products - Humic Acids. Because of its vegetative origin, this material is very rich and beneficial to plants today. In natural conditions humic acids are not soluble. It is a reaction of nature, otherwise soils could be deprived of humus and washed out to sea. Humates are the salts of humic acids, which form complexes with phosphorus and micro elements which are easy assimilated by plants, and sharply increase efficiency of mineral fertilizers. Humate materials are widely distributed organic carbon containing compounds, found in soils, fresh water, and oceans, and make up approximately 75 percent of the organic matter that exists in most mineral soils. Humates play a direct role in determining the production potential of a soil. Quality: Not all the products on the market under the name Humates are of a high quality. There are several different chemical structures of Humic Acid. The more concentrated forms are the best and in the long run, and can be the cheapest. The first, is fossilized brown oxidized lignite or Leonardite. This product has 30- 40% humic acid content, 30-40% of mineral part -ash, and the balance is presented by unknown ballast substances. Recommended application norms of these products are very high, because humic acids in them are insoluble and are not in an active form. Mineral content of these products have metals which bind to humic acids. Long time usage of these products pollutes the soil.

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The second group is produced in the common method of treatment of lignites with concentrated alkalines. The content of Humic acids of these products is within the level of 20-30%. Humates here are in active form, but they still have a high content of ballast and ash, which causes above mentioned problems. The third group of Humates is produced in the way of treatment of brown lignite or Leonardite with alkaline solutions. These Humates are high quality products, because they are free from ballast, but they are very expensive and difficult to transport and handle. Moreover the production process leaves a lot of waste. The fourth group are Humates produced from a high quality tested lignites, with 70% humic acid content, 12% mineral ash part and 18% organic ballast. These soluble products are in powder form with 75-85% of Humic acids. Only two products meet those requirements; these come from East Siberia, Russia and N.W. New Mexico; these are freshwater deposits and have the highest percentage of low molecular weight humic acids, generally referred to as Fulvic acids. Fulvic acid is the acid radical found in humic matter which is soluble in alkali, acid, methyl ethyl ketone, and methyl alcohol. Fulvates are the salts of fulvic acid. Both fulvic and humic acids found in soil, result from the chemical and biological degradation of dead organisms. Fulvic acids provide multiple and natural chemical reactions in the soil, instigating positive influences on the plants' metabolic processes. Fulvic acid is especially active in dissolving minerals and metals when in solution with water. The metallic minerals simply dissolve into ionic form, and disappear into the fulvic structure becoming bio-chemically reactive and mobile. The Fulvic acid actually transforms these minerals and metal into elaborate fulvic acid molecular complexes that have vastly different characteristics from their previous metallic mineral form. Fulvic acid is nature's way of "chelating" metallic minerals, turning them into readily absorbable bio-available forms. Fulvic acid readily complexes with minerals and metals making them available to plant roots and easily absorbable through cell walls. It makes the actual movement of metal ions that are normally difficult to mobilize or transport. such as iron, easily transportable through plant structures. It allows minerals to inter-act with one another, breaking them down into the simplest ionic forms, chelated by the fulvic acid electrolyte. Fulvic acid is a natural organic electrolyte. An electrolyte is a substance that is soluble in water or other appropriate medium that is capable of conducting electrical current. Fulvic acid has proven to be a powerful organic electrolyte. Fulvic acids also dissolve and transpose vitamins, coenzymes, auxins, hormones and natural antibiotics that are generally found throughout the soil, making them available. These substances are effective in stimulating even more vigorous and healthy growth proceeding certain bacteria, fungi, and actinomyceles in decomposing vegetation in the soil.

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It has been determined that all known vitamins can be present in healthy soil . Plants manufacture many of their own vitamins with those from the soil further supplementing the plant. Upon ingestion these nutrients are easily absorbed by animals and humans, due to the fact that they are in perfect natural plant form as nature intended. The majority of research and experimentation on fulvic acid, has been done in relation to plants. Yet humans have been ingesting fulvic acid complexes regularly for over 60 years in supplemental form, and for thousands of years from natural food and plant sources. Testimonials continue to show that the beneficial properties relating to plant and cell studies, hold true in relation to animal and humans as well. HUMIC SUBSTANCES: WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT CAN THEY DO? 1. Humic substance is the end product of decayed matter, and usually contains large quantities of trace minerals. It contains up to 5,000 calories per gram, providing energy that can be used for plant growth. 2. Humates (metal complexes of humic acid) supply growing plants with food. They also make soil more fertile and productive. 3. Humic substance increases the water holding capacity of soil; therefore, it helps plants resist droughts and produces better crops in reduced water conditions. 4. Humic substance breaks up unproductive clay soils, turning them into profitable soils. 5. Humic substance helps retain water soluble inorganic fertilizers, releases them, as needed, to the growing plants, and helps prevent soil leaching. 6. Humic acid stimulates seed germination and viability, and root respiration, formation and growth. 7. Humic acid reduces other fertilizer requirements and increases yield in crops such as potatoes, wheat, tomatoes, corn, beets, etc. 8. Humic substance fosteres improved drainage. 9. Humic substance increases aeration of the soil. 10. Humic acids increase the protein and mineral contents of most crops. 11. Humates establish a desirable environment for microorganism development. 12. Humic substances produce thicker, greener, and healthier crops. Effects on Soil Fertility. Native soil humic substances enhance plant growth both directly and indirectly. Physically, they promote good soil structure and increase the water holding capacity of the soil. Biologically, they affect the activities of microorganisms. Chemically, they serve as an adsorption and retention complex for inorganic plant nutrients. Nutritionally, they are sources of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur for plants and microorganisms. All of these effects increase the productivity of the soil. Effects on Plants. Humic acids can have a direct positive effect on plant growth in a number of ways. Both plant root and top growth have been stimulated by humates, but the effect is usually more prominent in the roots. A proliferation in root growth, resulting in an increased efficiency of the root system, is a likely cause of higher plant yields seen in response to humic acid treatment. Humic matter has been shown to increase the uptake of nitrogen by plants, and to increase soil nitrogen utilization

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efficiency. It can also enhance the uptake of potassium,calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Humic and fulvic acids are soluble in water and make available to plants, nutrients and trace minerals that would be otherwise unavailable. One of the valuable characteristics of humic substances is the ability to absorb and retain quite large amounts of water. In addition, fulvic acid helps water penetrate and permeate plant cells, assisting nutrient uptake and water storage during drought conditions. WHERE HAVE ALL THE MINERALS GONE? USDA figures that show a decline in mineral and vitamin content of several fruits and vegetables between 1914, 1963, and 1992. Table 1 is a summary of mineral decreases in fruits and vegetables over a 30-year period, adapted from Bergners book. Table 1. Average changes in the mineral content of some fruits and vegetables, 1963-1992 Mineral Average % Change Calcium -29.82 Iron -32.00 Magnesium -21.08 Phosphorus -11.09 Potassium -6.48 Fruits and vegetables measured: oranges, apples, bananas, carrots, potatoes, corn, tomatoes, celery, romaine lettuce, broccoli, iceberg lettuce, collard greens, and chard. In England, Anne Marie-Mayer compared food composition over a 50-year period using data from the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF). Her study (21), Historical Changes in the Mineral Content of Fruits and Vegetables was presented at the Agricultural Production and Nutrition conference held at Tufts University School of Nutrition Science and Policy on March 19-21, 1997. Table 2, adapted from Marie-Mayers paper, summarizes the average ratio of nutrient content and dry matter of 20 vegetables and 20 fruits. A ratio of 0.81 for Ca, for example, means that over an approximately 50-year period the average content of calcium in vegetables has declined to 81% of the original level. Table 2. Average ratio of mineral content and dry matter for vegetables and 20 fruits Ca Mg Fe Cu Na K P D.M. Vegetable ratio 0.81 0.65 0.78 0.19 0.57 0.86 0.94 0.97 Fruit ratio 1.00 0.89 0.68 0.64 0.90 0.80 0.99 0.91 Doc. Nr.: INTRODUCTION TO FOLIAR FERTILIZERS Date: 27.09.2005 20:00 Author: Sergey E. Pigarev Rev. Nr.: 12 Status: Category: Ref.: http://foliarfert.com Pages: 18 of 21

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Minerals are basic elements of the earth. They cannot be created or destroyed. Once eaten, they are gone forever from the soil. While a plant can create proteins, carbohydrates and many other nutrients, it cannot create minerals. They are either in the soil or they are not. Many soils have produced food for years. The minerals in those foods were eaten long ago. By 2020, meeting the energy demand of an expanding population will require that farmers produce one and a half times as much food as they did in the early 1990s. By 2050, the worlds' agricultural systems will need to generate enough food to support the nutrient requirements of over 8.9 billion people (United Nations, 1998). This will require that agriculture, match its earlier success in increasing food production. This must all be accomplished with about the same land under cultivation but with dwindling water resources and declining soil fertility.(Brown and Flavin, 1999; Pinstrup-Andersen, 1999). SOME MYTHS ABOUT FOLIAR FERTILIZER? Farmers have been using foliar fertilisers since the 1950's. They knew it worked but were told by 'experts' it shouldn't, but kept using them anyway. There are some, who would say that foliar fertilisers are a waste of time and money because they do not have elements in sufficient quantity to do anything. There are others who say that plants do not take up nutrients through their leaves, so applying a foliar fertiliser is wasting money. There are still others who say that foliars is all you need, and the way to go. Some advocate using foliars in conjunction with soil applied fertilisers. No doubt there are many others, but lets look at these in a little more detail. 1.Foliars do not contain sufficient to do anything? Some believe this to be the case, but shows a lack of basic understanding, because as referred to already, this assumes, all that is needed are the 3 major NPK elements. It is true that these 3 elements are needed in the largest quantity, but are only 3 of 16-17 needed by plants, and counting those elements needed by animals and found in plants are only 3 of at least 20. If your farm has a serious copper or cobalt problem, all the NPK in the World will not fix it. Foliar fertilisation is by far the most effective way to apply micro nutrients or trace elements, and supplement the major elements. The readily-available nutrients are more easily utilised, because they do not have to be dissolved by moisture and go into the soil solution. This does not mean that the application of foliar fertiliser replaces the soil applied fertiliser, but increases their uptake. The important thing to remember is that a small amount of fertiliser used, actually increases the uptake in terms of total uptake by several fold over the small amount of fertiliser applied. In fact, where isotopes showed that it was 8-10 times more effective to foliar feed a plant as far as the amount of nutrients required and the speed with which those nutrients were utilized. Other authorities showed the effectiveness to be between 12 and 100 times more effective.

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This research was applied to not only the trace elements Zinc, Iron and Magnesium, but to phosphorous ( P) as well, which showed an effectiveness of 20:1 The trace elements used were in sulphate form. Chelation has shown to increase absorbtion by 3 10 times, over the sulphate form depending on the element used. 2. Plants do not take up elements through their leaves? The question is. 'How do herbicides work'? If you consider that as little as 2 litres/hectare of glyphosate will kill all vegetation, it would appear likely that it is taken up by the leaves, particularly as it is totally inactivated by soil contact. How could it be root absorbed? If 2 litres/hectare is sufficient to kill all vegetation, it is conceivable that several litres/hectare of a soluble nutrient would also have an effect? In the early 50's Michigan State University ran a series of tests using radio-active tagged nutrients and discovered that leaves of plants as well as bark take up nutrients. Plants also contain growth hormones, produced by the plant itself. Growth hormones participate in the control of growth. They may be either growth inhibitors or promotors depending on the site of action and concentration of the substance. There are 5 major types of plant hormones: auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid and ethylene. Auxins are growth hormones produced in all higher plants. Commercially synthetic auxins are used to initiate adventitous roots from plant cuttings in nurseries. Weed control by another synthetic auxin, 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), is widespread as a selective herbicide against broadleaf weeds. Used at some 2 litres / hectare for thistles, this is just over 1 litre of active ingredient / hectare (520 grams active / litre) which equates to 1/10th of 1 ml / square metre. One teaspoon is sufficient for 50 square meters. How much herbicide does each thistle and other broadleaf weeds in a square metre receive? Where 24D works by altering the hormonal balance in the plant, the absorbtion of nutrients by the plant through the use of Foliar fertilizer on the other hand increases photosynthesis REFRACTOMETER Refractometers are simple optical instruments for measuring the dissolved solids content of fruits, grasses and vegetables during all stages of growth. Refractometers work on the principle of light bending when it passes from air into water. The amount light bends is measured in degrees "Brix". There are values of degrees Brix for each fruit and vegetable ranging from poor to excellent. Due to dissolved sugars, minerals and other nutrients in fruit and vegetable juices, they are denser than water and bend light more. The excellent level generally gives the plant immunity to disease and insects, and creates health in animals and people. These plants also have increased frost resistance, and improved storability because they will dehydrate rather than rot. The Brix indicates the level of balance of nutrient uptake and complexing into sugars or proteins in the

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photosynthesis factory the leaf. If Brix is low, some element(s) are missing. Ions, if present, have not been "complexed" into sugars or proteins. Soil fertility needs may also be established from this reading. Highest readings will be obtained where soil nutrients are in best balance. The most effective means to increase Brix readings is to add nutrients such as trace minerals and humus to the soil. Crops with higher Brix will produce more alcohol from fermented sugars and be more resistant to insects, thus resulting in decreased insecticide usage. Within a given species of plant, the crop with a higher refractive index will have a higher sugar content, higher mineral content, higher protein content and a greater specific gravity or density. This adds up to a sweeter tasting, more minerally nutritious food (maximum nutritional value) with a lower nitrate and water content and better storage characteristics. Refractometers are used extensively in industry and research fields for measuring the concentration of all kinds of aqueous solutions, such as pharmaceuticals, tissue fluids in plants, and urine and blood protein. It is also used for checking the concentration of medicines,cosmetics, battery solutions, antifreeze, and processing solutions for plating, and quenching oils. The food processing industry uses the refractometer extensively for measuring the sugar concentration of soft drinks, juices, colas, nectars, and lactic acid beverages. The device is also used for checking flavouring solutions of canned foods, sugar concentration of jams, marmalades, honeys, extracts, concentrates, and other sweet liquids. ripening stage of fruit and the sugar content of fruits and grapes. Evaluating produce with a refractometer is an enlightening experience. Cosmetic visual signs often crumble in the wake of real evaluation. The refractometer has virtually unlimited uses. The refractometer can be used for fertilizer selection, large or small scale food evaluation (even milk), food processing, and a variety of other uses.

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