Foliar fertilization for turfgrasses

Nutrient use efficiency by turfgrasses is still a major challenge for turf managers world wide. Limited research exists on sports turf foliar nutrient absorption and comparisons with granular fertilizer. However, to date, findings on foliar fertilization include: 1) younger leaves demonstrate great foliar nutrient absorption rate than old leaves; 2) lower (abaxial) leaf surfaces (with more stomata) absorb more nutrients than the upper (adaxial) side of the leaf; 3) neutral molecule absorption is more efficient than cation (positively charged ions) and anion (negatively charged ions) absorption; 4) most of 17 plant nutrients including some beneficial elements have been reported to be absorbed by leaves; 5) cuticle penetration is possible and is genetically regulated; 6) the total fertilizer input may be reduced by using foliar fertilization; 7) there may be synergetic effects by using foliar fertilizers and plant growth regulators; and 8) it is environmentally safer to use more foliar fertilizers. Thus, this review is trying to provide the most updated research results on turfgrass foliar fertilization including sports turfgrasses.