Fertigation vs. Foliar Sprays: California tree crop growers have multiple tools available when it comes to delivering nutrients, but knowing when to rely on fertigation versus foliar sprays can improve efficiency and reduce costs. In today’s Agronomic Minute, Dylan Rogers, Sales Account Manager for AgroLiquid, shared insight into how growers can balance both approaches throughout the season.
Rogers explained that in permanent crops, growers are already making several trips through the orchard for fungicide and insecticide applications. Because of that, foliar nutrition can often be “tag-teamed” with existing spray passes rather than requiring a separate trip.
“I don’t tell guys to make a special trip to put foliar fertilizer on,” Rogers said, noting that combining nutrition with crop protection sprays is typically more cost-effective. By adding compatible nutrients to the spray tank, growers can address deficiencies without increasing labor or equipment costs.
Fertigation, on the other hand, remains a primary method for delivering macronutrients such as nitrogen and potassium through irrigation systems. It allows growers to make smaller, more frequent applications that align with crop demand curves. However, foliar applications can be especially useful when tissue samples indicate a deficiency that needs a more immediate correction.
Micronutrient management is another area where foliar sprays can provide an advantage. As Rogers has previously noted, soil nutrient relationships can sometimes limit micronutrient uptake. In those cases, placing micronutrients directly into the spray tank bypasses soil tie-up and delivers nutrients straight to the plant tissue.
Ultimately, the decision between fertigation and foliar feeding often depends on the nutrient involved, the crop stage, and tissue test results. By using fertigation for steady, season-long nutrition and supplementing with foliar applications when needed, growers can build a flexible and cost-efficient fertility program.
For more information on nutrient delivery strategies, visit AgroLiquid.com.