When granular fertilizers or mineral elements are applied to the soil, water is required to put those elements into solution otherwise the plant roots cannot utilize them. Depending on various environmental conditions, minerals in solution such as is used in the QFS program, when applied to the root area or foliage allows for potentially faster utilization and quicker reaction by the plant. The balance and purity of these elements also plays a key role in the plant's ability to absorb them in the fertilization process. The soil itself, to various degrees, can also trap or absorb some of the applied mineral nutrition. The more the soil is absent from the fertilization equation the more efficient the plant's mineral uptake will be. QFS is placed on or near the seed or plant foliage during periods of stress in the plant's growth cycle. Stimulation at these stress points, namely germination and reproduction, with mineral additions in or near the row or with foliar sprays is designed to achieve the best utilization of the mineral elements.
Although the use of soil applied liquid fertilizer products has increased significantly in recent years, the use of foliar applied mineral elements has evolved more slowly. However, foliar feeding is gaining acceptance and market share with the advent of similarily applied post emergence weed control of genetically modified organisms.
Early doubters felt the above ground portions of plants could not absorb fertility elements. However, when the United States Atomic Energy Commission sponsored plant physiology research using radioactive isotopes, which work was conducted by the Agricultural Sciences Department at Michigan State University, their findings released in the early to mid 1950's in scientific publications proved fertility elements applied as foliar sprays to plant leaves could be absorbed into and utilized by plants.
QFS is used at planting time to help with the stress of germination and also as a foliar spray during active plant growth and the stress of reproductive set. Uniquely, QFS can be used as a management tool. When plants have been or are under stress, QFS can supply minerals to the plant or its roots which may have been damaged by the environment, too wet, dry, cold, etc.
The basic approach of the QFS Program can have many different variations depending on the soil type, the yield potential, and the farm's past history.
Planting or Transplanting with QFS - The plant's first stress period occurs at germination or transplant time, which is often further aggravated by cold wet soils. By applying QFS near the seed or in the transplant water the farmer is placing a balanced volume of elements near the roots of the new plant which helps alleviate these stresses. High quality raw materials used in its makeup lowers the salt level and heavy metal concentrations in QFS which, in turn, helps keep the seed's soil environment more conducive to proper plant growth. Being a liquid, QFS requires elements of high solubility which enhances the availability of those elements to the plant.
The recommended volume of QFS to be used in the row or in a transplant solution depends on plant population, yield potential of the soil and the environment. As soil temperatures increase and becomes drier, lesser volumes of QFS are necessary, as opposed to cold and wet soil environments which call for larger amounts. Most vegetable transplant solutions call for one gallon per acre of QFS in 100 gallons of water, whereas, a tobacco transplant solution may require two gallons per acre of QFS in 100 gallons of water. Specific recommendations for QFS volumes are made by local representatives familiar with published recommendation guidelines and have experience with local farmers using QFS on certain crops.
Trickle Irrigation - QFS is normally applied at 1 gallon per acre per week during the season. This would be starting close to the first blossom set and continuing on until 6 to 8 gallons of QFS per acre have been applied over the season. When soil content is higher in clay and organic matter, more QFS may be called for. Also, to keep the nutrients as close or near to the roots as possible, QFS should always be injected at the end of the pumping cycle.
Foliar Feeding
- The plant's second stress point normally occurs during its maximum growth stage and/or during its reproductive set. By way of foliar feeding, the plant is supplied with the balanced volume of elements found in QFS which can help stressed plants deal with their high mineral demands.
Many farmers have found foliar spraying to be a very effective tool to use during times of drought, excess rain fall or other environmental stress periods. In these situations, plant roots often have become injured and cannot properly take up nutrition, but putting nutrients into the plant through foliar absorption can usually help overcome stress problems.
Foliar sprays should be applied early in the morning, late afternoon or evening, or during misty overcast days in the summer. Spring or fall foliar sprays can be made during a higher percentage of daylight hours. In very early spring and very late fall, there may be times when it would be prudent to wait for somewhat warmer temperatures before spraying. Plants will not absorb minerals through the foliage during the heat of the day or in bright sunlight. Foliar sprays are generally applied by ground equipment utilizing boom sprayers, mist blowers, and high boy sprayers, while some are made by helicopters or spray planes. Weather, fruit set, and stress have a big influence on the timing and need for foliar feeding.
Monitoring crop conditions at all times is very important. After learning what foliar feeding QFS accomplishes for them, almost every operation eventually develops it own special foliar spraying techniques. The best recommendation for all producers is to "read the crop." In other words, watch to see what it seems to need.
The most successful vegetable and fruit growers having followed the QFS Program over many years invariably recommend to others they spray QFS at 1 gallon per acre every week. This would be starting close to the first blossom set and continuing on until 6 to 10 gallons of QFS per acre have been applied over the season. Some producers will spray 2 gallons per acre every other week, but they still apply the 6 to 10 gallons per acre for the season.
Specific recommendations for techniques and volume use of QFS are best made by local representatives familiar with published recommendations and also having experience with the conditions and crops of farmers using QFS.
