Is foliar fertilization essential for high soybean yields?

Abstract

Aiming to verify the effect of foliar fertilizer application to soybean crops in different regions of Brazil, an experiment was carried out in soybean commercial crops in the states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul. At both study sites, the experiments were conducted simultaneously (one area with the treatment and one without). The doses of each product were defined according to the soil analysis, the developmental stage of the crop, and the possible stress period. Leaf samples were collected in the R2 stage to evaluate nutritional status and biometric factors, while the plants were collected at stage R6–R7 for the determination of growth, nutrient accumulation in grains, and productivity. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and data grouping. The nutritional status and nutrient accumulation in grains showed little difference overall; however, in 83.33% of the areas treated with foliar fertilizers, increased plant growth and productivity were observed.

Keywords:

• abiotic stress
• fertilizers
• Glycine max (L.) Merrill
• plant nutrition

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Fertilizer and CNPq for financing the project, Laboratory of Chemical Agricultural in Goiano Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology and the crop farmers who participated.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no relevant financial or non-financial competing interests to report.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq) and Fertilizer AgroScience LTDA under Grant 468153/2014-4.