How To Apply Liquid Fertiliser
How To Apply Liquid Fertiliser
This page explains how to apply liquid fertiliser. The guidance looks at liquid fertilisers Nitroflo and Mulitflo, and foliar fertilisers from the Speciality range. With on-farm storage available, liquid fertiliser is a one-person operation and is easy to apply.
You can also refer to the AIC Fluid Fertiliser Guidance.
How To Apply Liquid Fertiliser – Nitroflo and Multiflo Range
This handy guide explains what (and what not) to do to achieve optimum uptake into the plant:
How To Apply:
- When the crop is wet or in the rain
- In the dry
- In wind so long as streams are not being deflected
- Keeping forward speed slow and pressure low
- In the evening or early morning if possible
- Plan to complete your applications by GS32 (2nd node on stem detectable) on cereals
- In sequence: Apply fertiliser first and agrochemicals second. Leave a 2 day gap if possible
- Keep grazing stock out for 5 days if there has been no rain.
What Not To Do
- When the crop is just damp and drying off – this may lead to a smear of nitrogen drying on the leaf, leading to too much leaf uptake
- In wind once feathers of small droplets are being blown from the main stream, or if the wind has caused leaf bruising
- Going above 2 bar pressure unless you really have to
- In the heat of the day or when >20°C between max and min is expected
- Don’t apply to the flag leaf (or leaf 2 if possible)
- In sequence; Don’t apply agrochemicals first – they are likely to de-wax the leaves and increase to risk of foliar uptake of N. Leave a 5 day if possible
- Don’t dilute liquid nitrogen, it increases the risk of scorch
- Avoid application onto damp crops or after a hard frost
Basic application conditions guide:
This handy guide gives you a quick glance on what to do in certain conditions. Always ensure you follow up to date application protocol.
| Situation | Application okay | Wait |
| Wet leaf | If wet to the point of runoff | If leaf is just damp (no droplets); wait until dry |
| Rain | If forecast to continue | If light and water not rolling off |
| Frost | If heavy rime, on cereals only | Wait a few days for crop to rewax and until leaf is dry |
| Wind | If streams not badly affected | If stream breaking up excessively |
| Agchem | Before agchem | A few days if agchem has been applied |
How To Apply Liquid Fertiliser – Foliar Fertilisers
Foliar fertilisers are highly concentrated fertilisers, packed full of nutrition to help grow a strong healthy plant.
Here’s a quick list of do’s and don’ts for optimum uptake:
Apply
- In the early AM or evening when air humidity is high
- To actively growing crops
Avoid
- Applying to crops with frost or herbicide damage, or under severe stress from drought
- Applying in dry, hot or windy conditions
Here To Help
We’re here to help and advise on how to apply liquid fertiliser. Our team of FACTS qualified experts are located across the country to help you safely and accurately apply your fertiliser.
Our research and development team are continually trialling the application methods of our range of liquid fertiliser to ensure farmers are utilising them at the optimum rates. Our continuous development and commitment to UK agriculture means we review our products periodically, testing efficacy, efficiency and ensuring application rates continue to be at the optimum level.
You should always refer to the individual product application guidelines and wear the correct PPE when applying liquid fertiliser.
To find out more about the safe storage of liquid fertiliser.
“The same as everybody who’s switched to liquid – we wish we’d done it years ago.”
Andrew Ward, MBE
