6 Reasons Growers are Turning to Foliar

Midseason foliar nutrition is gaining ground as a powerful yet underused tool in nutrient management strategies. In a recent webinar, 53% of growers reported already using foliars midseason, while 46% were considering them—clear evidence that precision nutrition is a rising priority in crop production.

Foliars offer a cost-effective, flexible way to deliver nutrition exactly when and where crops need it most—especially when soil conditions limit nutrient uptake. What we have learned in our research is that it’s not about perfection—it’s about precision. Here’s why more growers are making foliar nutrition part of their midseason playbook:

1. Economic Gains: A Smart Investment

At just $5–$15 per acre, foliar nutrition offers an affordable opportunity for meaningful return. Small yield increases can lead to large payoffs—especially when scaled across acreage.

Low Cost, High Impact

• Take Nova PULSE®, for example. With its low cost and high return on corn, we saw gains of 9.1 bushels per acre (average across three states in 2024) from just one V4 foliar application (6 fl. oz Nova PULSE)*.
• For soybeans, the break-even threshold was only 0.8 bushels per acre, so the yield increase of 3.8 bushels per acre resulted in a compelling return on investment (ROI) for farmers (average across five states in 2024 from one V4 foliar 6 fl. oz Nova PULSE). These small increases can add up significantly when scaled across large fields*.
• In pecans, we saw an increase in gross revenue by $259 per acre across two years with a single early foliar treatment at the parachute stage using Nova ELEVATE® and Nova FLOW® compared to the grower standard practice.

ROI from Strategic Timing

I want to highlight the importance of timing in foliar applications. In our trials, we not only aligned application timing with the appropriate stage of crop growth, but we also chose timings to coincide with common crop protection applications, such as herbicides or early fungicides.

• V4-V6 Growth Stages (corn and soybeans): the crop is developing its root system and photosynthetic machinery, making it an ideal time to apply Nova ELEVATE or Nova PULSE, which contains molybdenum to support these processes and nitrogen use efficiency.*
• VT-R1 Growth Stage (corn): Applying Nova FLOW alongside fungicide helps support grain fill by providing potassium, magnesium, and boron and resulted in up to a 14-bushel increase.*
• R1-R2: Applying Nova PLUSE on soybeans during the R1-R2 flowering stage resulted in an average yield increase of 7.1 bushels per acre.*

By aligning foliar applications with crop protection strategies, such as herbicide or fungicide treatments, growers can optimize nutrient uptake without incurring additional labor or equipment costs, thereby maximizing overall nutrient use efficiency and crop performance.

2. Boosts Yield During Critical Growth Stages

The power of foliar feeding lies in timing. Midseason foliar applications target key transitions, especially from the vegetative to the reproductive phase, when nutrient demand peaks. These stages are crucial for nutrient uptake, and timely applications of micronutrients and macronutrients, like potassium, can dramatically improve crop performance.

• Foliar potassium helps crops like corn, soybeans, and cotton accumulate sugar/starch and manage environmental stress, which leads to stronger, healthier plants and ultimately higher yields.
• Nova PULSE and Nova FINISH® on soybeans saw an 11.4% increase in yield.
• Polysulphate in combination with foliar applications of both Nova FLOW and Nova HiPeaK® increased cotton lint yield by ~ 10 % over the control.

By giving your crops the nutrients they need when they need them most, you optimize photosynthesis, fruit/grain set, and stress resistance.

3. Improves Crop Quality and Market Value

Foliar applications don’t just improve yields—they also enhance the quality of your crop. Nutrient sprays support critical processes, such as photosynthesis, pollination, and nutrient transport, leading to healthier and more uniform crops that meet industry standards for size, shape, and overall appearance.

• In nectarines and cherries, Nova PULSE + Agrolution pHLow® improved yield, firmness, and brix.
• Nova HiPeaK on apples increased fruit weight by nearly 30%.
• The return on investment (ROI) to a grape grower for Nova PULSE and Nova FLOW was 11.9:1 and 8.4:1, respectively.*

High-quality crops not only command higher prices at market, but also ensure we are meeting demanding quality standards.

4. Efficient Source of Essential Micronutrients and Mid-Season Potassium

Potassium is one of the most critical macronutrients, especially during the reproductive growth stages of crops. While potassium is crucial for stress management, strong cell walls, and water regulation, micronutrients like boron, zinc, molybdenum, and cobalt are vital for supporting key processes that maximize yield and plant health. 

Small But Mighty Micronutrients

Even in small doses, micronutrients are vital for plant metabolism, resilience, and performance. When paired with potassium, they support synergistic nutrient uptake. 

Foliar Products for Optimal Nutrition

Several of ICL’s foliar products are specifically designed to provide both macronutrients and micronutrients at critical growth stages: 

• Nova ELEVATE (1.2 Co + 26 Mo): High concentrations of molybdenum and cobalt make it ideal for early-season applications, helping to improve nitrogen efficiency, promote fruit/grain set and retention, setting the stage for higher yields. 

• Nova PULSE (0-6-4+1.3S+1Mg+0.5Co+10Mo+6Zn): Contains phosphorus and potassium plus molybdenum, cobalt, zinc, magnesium, and sulfur, supplying a balanced supply of essential nutrients for root growth, photosynthesis, fruit/grain set and retention, while improving nodulation and nitrogen fixation.  

• Nova FLOW (5-10-20++11.7S+9Mg+0.5B): A highly soluble foliar alternative to magnesium nitrate. Its balanced NPK ratio supports strong, consistent growth, with secondary macros and micros to enhance photosynthesis and yield potential. When combined with Nova PULSE, the benefits are amplified, supporting better nutrient uptake and overall crop performance. 

• Nova FINISH (8-12-40 + micros): Nova Finish delivers 40% potassium to support yield, sugar accumulation, and late-season plant vitality by maintaining stomatal function and efficient gas exchange. 

• Boron X-Tra 0-0-0, 5% B: A premium liquid fertilizer that delivers boron with a unique blend of amino and fulvic acids essential for enhanced nutrient uptake, strengthened plant structure, and grain/fruit yield 

5. Minimize Waste and Maximize Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE)

Foliar applications bypass common barriers to uptake—like soil pH or compaction—delivering nutrients directly to the leaf for rapid absorption and reduced loss. This precision enhances nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and return on every fertilizer dollar.

Products like Nova ELEVATE and Nova PULSE (molybdenum and cobalt) or Nova FINISH, which contains potassium, boron, and molybdenum, can be applied precisely when and where they’re needed, focusing every dollar spent on fertilizers to deliver maximum crop performance and profitability.

The beauty of foliar feeding lies not only in the improvements to plant health and productivity but also in its use efficiency, offering impressive returns that make it a smart investment.

6. Versatile and Easy to Integrate into Existing Practices

Foliar applications integrate easily with standard crop protection routines. They can be tank-mixed with herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, or growth regulators—saving time and reducing operational complexity.

• Products like Nova foliars and Boron X-tra integrate seamlessly into existing practices, offering a comprehensive nutrient management solution.
• Foliar applications are effective in managing environmental stresses and getting nutrients into crops with restrictive soil uptake conditions, ensuring crops receive the nutrients they need to thrive under adverse conditions.

Incorporating foliar applications into a grower’s strategy is not just about short-term gains; it’s about building a sustainable system that supports long-term yield potential and profitability.

Best Practice Tips for Foliar Applications

To maximize the benefits of foliar feeding, we keep the following best practices in mind:

• Timing Applications at Key Growth Stages: Apply nutrients when they’re most needed—like pre-flowering or fruit/grain set, and importantly, coordinate applications with existing field passes to save time and input costs.
• Choose the Right Products: Match the foliar product to the crop’s stage while considering compatibility with other inputs. Remember, the right rate, adequate carrier volume, and a surfactant can make all the difference in nutrient distribution and uptake, ultimately boosting yield.
• Plan Ahead: Don’t rely only on tissue testing, ultimately that answer may come a little bit late. Instead of reacting, plan foliar nutrition into your strategy upfront. Focus on nutrients we know are most likely to be deficient in a crop, and which nutrients are most needed by a particular crop at a particular time.

Conclusion: A Smart Investment in Your Crop’s Future

Don’t leave yield in the field. Foliar applications —especially those with potassium and key micronutrients—offer a high return on investment by providing nutrients at critical points in the growing season. They are an effective, cost-efficient way to increase yield, improve crop quality, and reduce fertilizer waste, making them a smart investment for any grower. It doesn’t have to be complicated; with the right timing and product, foliar nutrition can be a key driver of both crop performance and profitability.

Interested in learning more? Talk to your ICL rep about integrating products like Nova PULSE, Nova ELEVATE, Nova FLOW, Nova FINISH, or Boron X-Tra into your midseason strategy.

*watch webinar or contact us for trial details