India’s foliar fertiliser market is expected to reach USD 4.9 billion by 2030, growing at a steady annual rate of 11.3%. With less farmland available and food demand on the rise, farmers are under considerable pressure to produce more with fewer resources. Many are turning to foliar spraying as a faster, more dependable way to nourish their crops.

Foliar fertilisers deliver nutrients directly to the leaves, helping plants absorb them within hours. This can make a big difference during key growth stages, especially when the soil isn't providing enough. However, to reap the full benefits, the spray must be applied at the right time and in the correct manner.

This guide walks you through when to spray, what to avoid, and how precision tools like drones can make foliar feeding quicker, safer, and more consistent.

Key Takeaways

• Foliar spray fertilisers feed plants through their leaves, allowing faster nutrient absorption

• Best applied during active growth stages like flowering or fruit setting

• Spraying during hot afternoons or using incorrect dilution ratios can reduce results

• Manual spraying often leads to uneven application and exposure risks

• Using precision tools such as drones ensures accurate, timely, and safe fertiliser delivery

What is Foliar Spray Fertiliser?

Foliar spray fertiliser is a liquid solution applied directly to a plant’s leaves. Instead of relying on the roots to absorb nutrients from the soil, this method delivers key nutrients, like nitrogen, potassium, and micronutrients, through the leaf surface, often via tiny openings called stomata.

This approach is especially helpful when:

• Soil conditions are poor

• Roots can’t absorb nutrients efficiently

• Crops need a quick nutritional boost during key growth stages

Because nutrients are absorbed more rapidly through the leaves, farmers often use foliar spraying to correct deficiencies on the spot. It’s faster than waiting for soil-applied fertilisers to take effect and can reduce nutrient loss caused by leaching or soil imbalance.

If you’re wondering when foliar spraying makes the biggest impact, the answer lies in both timing and crop needs. Let’s look at when and why it works best.

When and Why to Use Foliar Spray Fertiliser

The ideal time to apply foliar sprays is during active growth stages. This includes early vegetative phases, flowering, and fruit setting, when crops have a higher demand for nutrients. Applying foliar fertiliser at these stages helps plants absorb nutrients faster and shows visible improvements within days.

Farmers often turn to foliar sprays when plants suffer from hidden deficiencies or face sudden growth challenges. For example, in a rainfed soybean experiment in Madhya Pradesh, spraying NPK (19:19:19) at 1.5% concentration followed by another application of NPK (13:0:45) led to a grain yield of 2,153 kg/ha, significantly higher than the control group.

Morning or late evening is the best time for spraying. During these hours, temperatures are lower, and the stomata on leaves are open, allowing for better absorption.

Avoid spraying during the heat of the day, as high temperatures can cause the spray to evaporate before it penetrates the leaves.

Foliar sprays are most effective when crops require rapid results and soil-based methods are insufficient. 

Here are the most common situations where leaf feeding makes a real difference:

1. Visible Nutrient Deficiencies

When your plants show yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or other signs of lacking nutrients, even after soil fertilisation, foliar sprays can quickly fill the gap.

2. Urgent Correction Before Yield Loss

If your crop is entering a critical growth phase and there’s no time to wait for soil nutrients to kick in, foliar sprays offer faster uptake and immediate impact.

3. Poor Soil Conditions

In fields with low fertility, compacted soil, or high pH that locks nutrients away, foliar application ensures plants still get what they need.

4. Unpredictable Weather

After heavy rains or drought, soil activity can slow down. Spraying nutrients directly on the leaves helps your crops recover without delay.

5. Micronutrient Boosts

For nutrients like zinc, boron, or iron, which are often required in small doses at specific stages, foliar application delivers them precisely where they’re needed.

6. Supplementing Root Feeding

Even when soil fertilisation is going well, foliar sprays can give crops an extra push during the flowering or fruiting stages.

You can enjoy all the benefits of foliar spray without the manual labour. Book Leher’s drone spraying service now and let technology take care of your field.

Manual spraying can be time-consuming, uneven, and physically demanding. This is where technology steps in to simplify your work and improve results.

How to Use Foliar Spray Fertiliser Effectively with Drones

Drones take the guesswork out of foliar spraying. With automated flight paths, accurate GPS mapping, and uniform nozzle coverage, they ensure every part of your field gets exactly what it needs.

Here’s how drone-assisted foliar spraying works in practice:

1. Field Mapping and Route Planning

The drone scans your field and creates a spraying route using GPS. This avoids overlaps and ensures full coverage without waste.

2. Uniform and Controlled Application

Unlike manual sprayers, drones release a consistent amount of fertiliser across all sections of the field. This helps avoid under- or over-application and improves nutrient absorption.

3. Faster Coverage, Less Effort

A drone can cover multiple acres in minutes, saving you hours of labour. It’s beneficial for large plots or areas that are difficult to access. You’re here because you want better yields, faster.

Curious how drone spraying can boost your yield this season? Book a call with the Leher team and get expert guidance on starting your first spray, no commitments, just honest advice.

4. Reduced Exposure to Chemicals

Operators don’t need to come into direct contact with fertilisers. This makes the entire process safer and more convenient.

5. Smart Data Tracking

Some drone platforms store spraying data, helping you track what was applied, when, and where. This supports better planning for future cycles.

Precision matters, but even the best timing can go to waste if a few common errors creep into your spraying routine.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Foliar Spraying

Farmers often encounter problems not because of the product itself, but because of how it's applied. This section walks you through the most common mistakes that can reduce the effectiveness of your spray.

1. Spraying at the wrong time of day

High temperatures and strong sunlight can cause foliar sprays to evaporate quickly. This reduces absorption and may even damage the leaves. Early morning or late evening is the best time to spray.

2. Using the wrong concentration or poor mixing

Overconcentration can burn crops, while weak solutions fail to show results. Follow the recommended dilution instructions and mix the solution thoroughly before spraying.

3. Spraying during windy conditions

Wind can blow the spray off course, wasting both time and product. It can also lead to uneven distribution. Wait for calm weather to ensure proper coverage.

4. Relying on inconsistent manual application

Hand-held tools often result in missed patches or overlapping areas. This inconsistency affects both plant health and input costs over time.

5. Ignoring water quality

Hard water can reduce how well nutrients are absorbed. Always use clean, soft water to ensure your foliar mix is effective and doesn’t leave residue behind.

Tired of wasting time and inputs on uneven spraying? Let Leher drones do the job right: faster, safer, and with zero guesswork. Book your drone foliar spray service now on the Leher app.

Now that you know when and why foliar sprays matter, let’s look at how using the right tools can make the entire process quicker, easier, and more rewarding.

How Leher Makes Foliar Spraying Easier, Faster, and More Profitable

Foliar spraying can improve crop health and yields, but only when it’s done right. Manual spraying takes hours, risks uneven coverage, and exposes you to chemicals. For many farmers and agri-service providers, that means extra labour, more input costs, and lower returns.

Leher solves these challenges at scale. With over 130 trained drone partners and 35,000+ acres already sprayed, Leher has built a reliable system that connects farmers to expert drone operators through a simple app. Farmers get safe, uniform foliar spraying when they need it, and drone entrepreneurs get steady work without having to own expensive equipment.

Leher’s drone-powered spraying service changes the game by handling your foliar application with precision, speed, and care.

Here’s how Leher helps you get more out of every foliar spray:

• Let Leher Handle the Spraying: Focus on your crops while trained drone operators from Leher manage the spraying with speed and accuracy. No supervision or guesswork needed.

• Stay Safe from Chemicals: Drone spraying keeps you and your team out of the fields during application, reducing direct exposure to harmful chemicals.

• Book When It Suits You: Whether you run a tea estate or a small plot, schedule sprays anytime through the Leher App, quick, easy, and farmer-friendly.

• Get Jobs Without Chasing Leads: Drone entrepreneurs don’t need to cold-call or advertise. Leher connects you directly with local spraying jobs, so you can start earning fast.

• No Drone Purchase Needed
  Use high-quality drones provided by Leher, equipped with features like flow sensors and auto-return, so you can focus on getting the job done.

• Track Every Spray Job: From coverage area to chemical usage, Leher’s dashboard logs every detail, giving farmers and operators complete visibility and peace of mind.

Want healthier crops without wasting your day spraying manually? Leher’s drone spraying service gives you accurate, safe, and efficient foliar application, covering acres in minutes. 

Schedule a free call and get started by downloading the Leher App from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store today. 

FAQs

1. What is foliar spray fertiliser, and how is it different from soil application?
Foliar spray fertiliser is applied directly to the leaves of a plant instead of the soil. It helps nutrients get absorbed faster, especially during critical growth stages or when soil conditions limit uptake.

2. When is the best time to apply foliar spray?
Early morning or late evening is ideal. Avoid spraying during the heat of the day, as high temperatures and strong sunlight can cause the spray to evaporate before absorption.

3. How often should I apply foliar spray fertiliser?
It depends on your crop and the nutrient deficiency you’re addressing. Most farmers apply it once every 10–15 days during active growth stages, but it’s best to follow the product’s guidelines or consult an agronomist.

4. Can I mix foliar fertilisers with pesticides or other inputs?
Yes, but only if the products are compatible. Always read the label or do a jar test to check for chemical reactions. When in doubt, keep the applications separate.

5. Is foliar spraying effective during the rainy season?
Not really. Rain can wash the spray off before it’s absorbed. If rain is expected within a few hours, it’s better to wait for dry weather.