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Foliar Fertilization for Sustainable Crop Production
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Foliar Fertilization for Sustainable Crop Production

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 May 2025 | Viewed by 7475

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Arkadiusz Artyszak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Agriculture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: silicon; foliar application; sugar beet; biostimulants; beneficial elements
Dr. Dariusz Gozdowski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Agriculture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: precision agriculture; remote sensing; fertilization; statistical analysis; crop production
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable Crop Production is a necessity. Environmental concerns make it necessary to reduce the intensity of mineral fertilization (mainly with nitrogen) and the use of the most dangerous pesticides. Progressive climate change adversely affects crop yields. As the climate warms, the threat of drought, high temperatures, disease infestation and pest damage increases.

This threatens to reduce food production, deteriorate food quality and collapse the profitability of agricultural production. It is therefore essential to look for innovative yet environmentally safe and profitable production technologies for the agricultural producer. One of these is the foliar application of various elements and compounds to plants. Despite a large amount of research, many problems are still unsolved.

This Special Issue focuses on various aspects of the foliar application of beneficial elements (silicon, vanadium, selenium, etc.) as well as biostimulants on plant growth and development, physiological traits, disease infestation and pest feeding, yield quantity and quality, and the storage stability of agricultural raw materials. Submitted manuscripts may also address the technical considerations of foliar application and the cost-effectiveness of foliar application. Research articles may present the results of field and laboratory studies with agricultural, vegetable, orchard and ornamental crops.

Research articles as well as review and discussion articles are welcome.

Dr. Arkadiusz Artyszak
Dr. Dariusz Gozdowski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • silicon
  • foliar application
  • biostimulants
  • beneficial elements
  • Green Deal
  • plant diseases
  • plant pests
  • drought
  • crop yield
  • yield quality

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3058 KiB  
Article
Utilizing Principal Component Analysis to Assess the Effects of Complex Foliar Fertilizers Regarding Maize (Zea mays L.) Productivity
by Laura Crista, Isidora Radulov, Florin Crista, Florinel Imbrea, Dan Nicolae Manea, Marius Boldea, Iosif Gergen, Anișoara Aurelia Ienciu and Alina Lațo
Agriculture 2024, 14(8), 1428; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14081428 - 22 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1169
Abstract
This study sought to determine the effects of foliar fertilization (FF) on both the quantity and quality of maize grains using principal component analysis (PCA). This chemometric approach enabled the selection of the best foliar treatment model for enhancing maize yield and quality. [...] Read more.
This study sought to determine the effects of foliar fertilization (FF) on both the quantity and quality of maize grains using principal component analysis (PCA). This chemometric approach enabled the selection of the best foliar treatment model for enhancing maize yield and quality. The results were analyzed via PCA, providing valuable insights into identifying the FF recipe with the greatest influence on maize grain production and quality. These field experiments were run during the time period 2020–2022 in the university’s experimental field. Seven experimental variants with three repetitions were tested, including a control group and various FF formulations labeled V1 through V7, each with different chemical compositions. FF applications were conducted during specific vegetative phases of the maize, respectively, in stages 15–16 BBCH (5–6 unfolded leaves) and 20–22 BBCH (10–12 unfolded leaves), with application rates varying from 2 to 6 Lha1 according to the product’s chemical properties. The application of FF treatments positively impacted both the production and quality of maize grains, as evidenced by specific quality indices such as moisture, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, fiber, and mineral content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Foliar Fertilization for Sustainable Crop Production)
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17 pages, 656 KiB  
Article
Influence of Foliar Application of Microelements on Yield and Yield Components of Spring Malting Barley
by Barbara Stadnik, Renata Tobiasz-Salach and Dagmara Migut
Agriculture 2024, 14(3), 505; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14030505 - 21 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1432
Abstract
Barley is an economically important plant cultivated primarily for animal feed and in the brewing industry for the production of barley malt. Climate changes and an increase in grain demand result in a constant need to improve the volume and stability of cereal [...] Read more.
Barley is an economically important plant cultivated primarily for animal feed and in the brewing industry for the production of barley malt. Climate changes and an increase in grain demand result in a constant need to improve the volume and stability of cereal species yields and better use the potential of cultivars. In cereal production, an important aspect is the use of microelements, especially by foliar spraying. Microelements, as components or enzyme activators, play a significant role in plant growth and metabolic processes occurring in the cell. As a consequence, their availability is a factor determining plant development. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of foliar fertilization with selected microelements on the yield of two-row malting barley cultivars. In 2019–2021, a two-factor field experiment with barley was conducted in south-eastern Poland. The experimental factors were three spring barley cultivars (Baryłka, KWS Irina, and RGT Planet) of the brewing type and four single-component micronutrient fertilizers containing copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn). The foliar application of microelements resulted in improvements in selected elements of the yield structure and an increase in grain yield, and the effect depended on the fertilization applied. The highest grain yield was obtained from plots where fertilizer with Mo or Zn was used. Barley plants sprayed with Mo fertilizer developed the longest spikes and were characterized by the highest number of productive tillers per plant. The foliar application of Zn resulted in the formation of the highest number of spikes per unit area and grain uniformity. The RGT Planet cultivar was characterized by higher values of the measured parameters compared to Baryłka and KWS Irina. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Foliar Fertilization for Sustainable Crop Production)
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21 pages, 4727 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Applying Foliar Micronutrients at Nodulation and the Physiological Properties of Common Soybean Plants
by Wacław Jarecki, Tomasz Lachowski and Dagmara Migut
Agriculture 2024, 14(1), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14010154 - 20 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1588
Abstract
Legumes, due to their symbiosis with papillary bacteria, can receive nitrogen from the air. The remaining nutrients must be supplied in fertilisers, either soil or foliar. In the pot experiment, we recorded the responses of two soybean cultivars (Annushka, Pompei) to the foliar [...] Read more.
Legumes, due to their symbiosis with papillary bacteria, can receive nitrogen from the air. The remaining nutrients must be supplied in fertilisers, either soil or foliar. In the pot experiment, we recorded the responses of two soybean cultivars (Annushka, Pompei) to the foliar application of micronutrients (control, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, B, or Mo). The physiological properties were expressed as net photosynthetic rate (PN), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry (Fv/F0), photosynthetic performance index (PI), and the development of soil plant analyses (SPAD), which were analysed. The effects of individual micronutrients on nodulation, plant growth, and condition were also investigated. Micronutrient fertilisation had a positive effect on plant fresh weight and no negative effect on plant condition. It was shown that elements such as B, Fe, and Mo had the most beneficial effect on nodulation compared to the control, regardless of the cultivar analysed. The application of single-component foliar fertilisers improved the physiological parameters of the plants. The relative chlorophyll content was most favourably affected by the application of Mn, B, and Mo in the Annushka cultivar, and Fe, Mn, and Mo in the Pompei cultivar. Similarly, in the case of chlorophyll fluorescence, the most stimulating effect was found for Mn and B, regardless of the cultivar. In the case of gas exchange, the application of Fe, Mo, and B for the Annushka cultivar and Cu for the Pompei cultivar had the most favourable effect on physiological measurements. The results obtained indicate that the foliar application of the evaluated micronutrients is justified in soybean cultivation and does not disturb the nodulation process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Foliar Fertilization for Sustainable Crop Production)
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17 pages, 543 KiB  
Article
Effect of Form of Silicon and the Timing of a Single Foliar Application on Sugar Beet Yield
by Alicja Siuda, Arkadiusz Artyszak, Dariusz Gozdowski and Zahoor Ahmad
Agriculture 2024, 14(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14010086 - 31 Dec 2023
Viewed by 2171
Abstract
The aim of the study was the evaluation of silicon foliar application on sugar beet yield. In the years 2017–2019, the effect of a single foliar application of various forms of silicon (potassium silicate—PS, calcium silicate—CS, sodium metasilicate—SM, and orthosilicic stabilized acid—OSA) applied [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was the evaluation of silicon foliar application on sugar beet yield. In the years 2017–2019, the effect of a single foliar application of various forms of silicon (potassium silicate—PS, calcium silicate—CS, sodium metasilicate—SM, and orthosilicic stabilized acid—OSA) applied in the six-leaf phase of sugar beet, 7 and 14 days later on yield and technological quality of sugar beet roots was assessed. It was found that the form of silicon does not have a significant effect on the yield of sugar beet roots, and significantly modifies the biological yield of sugar and the pure sugar yield. The highest biological yield of sugar is achieved by the foliar application of PS, and the pure sugar yield by PS and OSA. The date of foliar application as well as the interaction of the date of application and silicon forms do not have a significant effect on the root yield, biological yield of sugar, and pure sugar yield. The form of silicon has a significant effect on the technological quality of sugar beet roots (sugar, α-amino nitrogen, potassium, and sodium content). The most beneficial effect on the sugar content and reduction of sodium content in sugar beet roots is the foliar application of OSA, and the reduction of α-amino nitrogen and potassium content—PS. The timing of the application of various forms of silicon has a significant effect on the sugar and potassium content in sugar beet roots. The most beneficial effect on the sugar content in the roots is the application carried out 7 days after the six-leaf phase of sugar beet, and the potassium content is most limited by the treatment 14 days after reaching this phase. The interaction of the timing of foliar application and the form of silicon significantly modifies the technological quality features of sugar beet roots: the content of sugar, α-amino nitrogen, potassium, and sodium. The results of the study proved the significant effect of silicon foliar application on the physiological parameters of plants, such as leaf area index (LAI), absorption of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) which are related to yield and sugar beet productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Foliar Fertilization for Sustainable Crop Production)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: How the form of silicon and the timing of a single foliar application affect sugar beet yields?
Authors: Alicja Siuda; Arkadiusz Artyszak; Dariusz Gozdowski; Zahoor Ahmad
Affiliation: 1 Institute of Agriculture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02‐776 Warsaw, Poland; [email protected] (A.S.); [email protected] (D.G.); [email protected] (Z.A.) 2 Department of Botany, University of Central Punjab, Constituent College, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
Abstract: In the years 2017–2019, the impact of a single foliar application of various forms of silicon (potassium silicate – PS, calcium silicate – CS, sodium metasilicate – SM and orthosilicic stabilized acid – OSA) applied in the 6-leaf phase of sugar beet, 7 and 14 days later on yield and technological quality of sugar beet roots. It was found that the form of silicon does not have a significant impact on the yield of sugar beet roots, and significantly modifies the biological yield of sugar and the technological yield of sugar. The highest biological yield of sugar is achieved by foliar application of PS, and the technological yield of sugar by PS and OSA. The date of foliar application as well as the interaction of the date of application and silicon forms do not have a significant impact on the root yield, biological sugar yield and technological sugar yield. The form of silicon has a significant impact on the technological quality of sugar beet roots (sugar, α-amino nitrogen, potassium and sodium content). The most beneficial effect on the sugar content and reduction of sodium content in sugar beet roots is the foliar application of OSA, and the reduction of α-amino nitrogen and potassium content - PS. The timing of application of various forms of silicon has a significant impact on the sugar and potassium content in sugar beet roots. The most beneficial effect on the sugar content in the roots is the application carried out 7 days after the 6-leaf phase of sugar beet, and the potassium content is most limited by the treatment 14 days after reaching this phase. The interaction of the timing of foliar application and the form of silicon significantly modifies the technological quality features of sugar beet roots: the content of sugar, α-amino nitrogen, potassium and sodium.

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