The main objectives of the first foliar feeding of sunflower are as follows:
Activation of plant growth;
Providing boron nutrition;
Suppression of disease pathogens (fungistatic effect)
Depending on soil conditions, temperatures, moisture availability, possible aftereffects of pesticides applied under the predecessor crop or before sowing, we recommend the following foliar feeding schemes:
1. To provide sunflower plants with boron during the 3–5 leaf pair stage, we recommend using ECOLINE Boron (Premium) at a rate of 1.0 L/ha. Boron application in combination with L-α-amino acids promotes better boron absorption and mitigates the negative effects of various stress factors.
2. On low-fertility soils with significant presence of soilborne pathogens, foliar feeding is best done with a tank mixture of ECOLINE Boron (Premium) 1.0 L/ha + GROS Phosphito-NP 1.0-1.5 L/ha to enhance vegetative growth and suppress disease development.
3. On calcareous soils with heavy granulometric composition and under moisture deficit, sunflower plants may show signs of zinc deficiency. In this case, instead of GROS Phosphito-NP, it is advisable to use ECOLINE Phosphite (K-Zn) at the same rate of 1.0–1.5 L/ha.
4. If deficiency of other nutrients (manganese, iron, molybdenum, etc.) is observed, either visually or through laboratory analysis, the corresponding chelated fertilizers from ECOORGANIC can be used for foliar feeding of sunflower plants.
