I would like to know what the relationship is between liquid fertilizers, foliar fertilizers, and drip irrigation fertilizers?

1. Liquid fertilizers can generally be divided into two main categories: one is liquid nitrogen fertilizers, which are liquid fertilizers containing only nitrogen as the nutrient element, including liquid ammonia, nitrogen solutions, and ammonium hydroxide; the other category is liquid compound fertilizers, which are solutions or suspensions containing two or more nutrient elements. 　　 Main advantages of liquid fertilizers: low production costs; can be absorbed directly by crops; significant cost savings and yield increases; easy and rapid application. 　　 At present, the production of liquid fertilizers in China has just begun, and there are still technical issues such as a limited range of available raw materials, relatively high transportation costs, high initial packaging expenses, and the need for specialized tools for application. 2. Foliar fertilizers are a general term for fertilizers that supply nutrients to crops through their leaves; they are divided into nutrient-based foliar fertilizers and function-enhancing foliar fertilizers. Material nutrient foliar fertilizers are those that provide trace element fertilizers and hormones, while functional nutrient foliar fertilizers are those that supply the essential nutrients for plant growth. Foliar fertilizers are a type of fertilizer in which nutrients are applied to the surface of crop leaves, where they exert their functions through absorption by the leaves. Plant leaves have two layers of epidermis, composed of epidermal cells; the outer side of the upper epidermal cells is covered with a cutin layer and wax, which protects the mesophyll cells beneath the epidermis from adverse external conditions, allowing them to carry out functions such as photosynthesis and respiration. The leaves also contain numerous tiny stomata that facilitate gas exchange. Studies have shown that the cuticle is composed of a polymer of long-chain fatty acids with hydroxyl and carboxyl groups; the intermolecular spaces in this polymer, along with the hydroxyl and carboxyl hydrophilic groups on its molecules, allow aqueous solutions to penetrate into the leaf. Of course, the stomata on the leaf surface provide an even easier pathway for foliar fertilizers to enter the leaf. Urea-based compounds in fertilizers have a softening effect on the stratum corneum of epidermal cells, which allows other nutrients to penetrate more quickly. Therefore, urea-based compounds soften the stratum corneum of epidermal cells and facilitate the entry of other nutrients, which is why urea is an important component of foliar fertilizers. 3. Drip irrigation fertilizers: Surface drip irrigation and micro-sprinkler irrigation not only save water, fertilizer, and labor, but also increase the humidity in the field and within the crop’s microenvironment, reducing both the surface temperature and the temperature in the crop’s surrounding area. This helps to significantly improve the quality and appearance of the crops, as well as increasing yields substantially.

Reply to 2# chen-jun-1024: Thank you, moderator. Can it be considered that drip irrigation fertilizers and foliar fertilizers are a type of liquid fertilizer?

Passed by, learned from it, thanks! :victory:

I’m very interested. If any fellow sailor has relevant information (on production equipment or technology), please contact me at QQ1425786344

Liquid fertilizers, foliar fertilizers, and drip irrigation fertilizers don’t seem to be something that can be discussed together. Liquid fertilizer can be simply understood as water-based fertilizer ； Foliar fertilizer is a type of fertilizer that can be applied by spraying on the leaves; it can be either a liquid fertilizer or a solid fertilizer that is dissolved in water before being sprayed. It usually contains trace elements ； Drip-irrigation fertilizers generally refer to fully water-soluble fertilizers, which can be either liquid or solid; when in liquid form, they can be applied using drip irrigation systems. At least that’s how I understand it!