Nutrition That Pays: Soil-to-Foliar Strategies for High-Value Vegetable Production

ICL agronomy experts share practical, field-based strategies for improving nutrient use efficiency by aligning soil chemistry, biology, root-zone pH, and foliar timing throughout the season. 

Watch On Demand

*For CEUs watch at Vegetable Growers News. 

Achieving uniform vegetable growth, optimal quality, and peak marketable yield isn’t about applying more fertilizer — it’s about thinking in systems.  Following a clear, step-by-step framework, the on-demand webinar explores soil health considerations, the role of multi-nutrient mineral sources in building nutrient balance, early-season approaches using biostimulants and pH-modifying inputs and targeted in-season foliar nutrition to address emerging nutrient needs.

Key Webinar Takeaways at a Glance 

• Crop nutrition performs best as a system — not a single input
  Align soil chemistry, biology, pH, and foliar timing to improve nutrient efficiency and return on investment. 

• Low-salt, multi-nutrient soil foundations protect roots and improve uniformity
  Gradual-release nutrition supports early vigor without compromising stand establishment or root safety. 

• Soil biology drives nutrient cycling and uptake
  Activating enzymes and microbes improves root growth, aggregation, and resilience while unlocking existing nutrients. 

• Root-zone pH is a gatekeeper for nutrient availability
  Managing pH near the root surface improves phosphorus efficiency and micronutrient uptake. 

• Foliar nutrition is about timing — not rescue
  Targeted foliar tools help meet peak demand, protect quality, and extend harvest windows. 

The ROI Nutrition System: Putting It All Together 

A profitable vegetable nutrition program follows a clear progression: 

Build → Activate → Optimize → Protect → Prepare 

• Build the foundation: Multi-nutrient soil nutrition supports early root safety and efficiency 

• Activate biology: Enzymes and microbes help nutrient cycling and unlock nutrients already present in the soil 

• Optimize uptake: Starter nutrition and root-zone pH management improve early nutrient access when crops are most sensitive 

• Protect yield: In-season foliar tools meet peak nutrient demand and help preserve quality through stress periods. 

• Prepare for the next crop: Enhance residue breakdown and nutrient cycling, plus apply Polysulphate for better nutrient use efficiency. 

Choosing the Right Fertilizers: Featured Products at a Glance 

These tools support a systems-based nutrition strategy — from soil foundation through in-season foliar efficiency. 

Soil Foundation & Low-Salt Multi-Nutrient Nutrition 

• Polysulphate® 0-0-14, 19.2S, 12.2Ca, 3.6Mg
  A naturally sourced, gradual-release mineral fertilizer — polyhalite— supplying sulfur, potassium, magnesium, and calcium in sulfate form. Supports early root safety, improves nutrient use efficiency, and enhances soil biological indicators across vegetable systems. 

Soil Biology & Nutrient Cycling 

• BIOZ® Diamond 10-0-1 + microbial food / BIOZ® Jet Biochar Extract
  Biological activator that stimulates soil enzymes and microbial activity for improved nutrient cycling. Improve germination, root and early season growth, soil aggregation, and nutrient uptake efficiency without increasing fertilizer rates. 

Starter Fertilizers & Early Nutrition 

• CHALLENGE 8-32-5 + amino acids
  Neutral liquid starter fertilizer designed to support early root development and uniform establishment where pH is not limiting. 

• Nova HiPeaK® 0-44-44 (water soluble) or Nova HiPeaK® LQ 0-20-20 (liquid)
  Flexible starter option providing balanced early nutrition to support transplant establishment and crop  growth. 

Root-Zone pH Optimization 

• Agrolution® pHLow® (various formulations)
  Acidifying starter fertilizer that improves phosphorus solubility and micronutrient availability near young roots. 

• Nova PeKacid® 0-60-20 (water soluble) or Nova PeKacid® LQ 0-27-9 (liquid) 
  Acidifying phosphorus and potassium source used in starter or fertigation programs to enhance early nutrient uptake and improve phosphorus efficiency that can be mixed with calcium.  

In-Season Foliar Nutrition 

• Nova PULSE® 0-6-4 + Co, Mo, Zn
  Micronutrient foliar tool supporting nitrogen use efficiency, crop growth, stress tolerance, and reproductive development. 

• Nova ELEVATE® 0-0-0 1.2Co, 26 Mo
  Specialty foliar product shown to improve yield and quality in leafy greens and vegetable crops during peak demand. 

• Nova FLOW® 5-10-20, 9Mg / Nova FINISH® 8-12-40 + micros
  Foliar tools that enhance nutrient movement, fruit quality, firmness, and harvest consistency. 

• X-TRA Various Micronutrients
  Premium boron, zinc, and trace element solutions for targeted correction and nutrient efficiency. 

Application Efficiency 

• MULTI-SPRED® Adjuvant
  Improve spray coverage, uptake, and consistency in foliar nutrition programs. 

“We want to build the foundation, activate the biology, enhance nutrient cycling, and protect yield—all while preparing for the next season.” – Christi