Revolutionizing Foliar Nutrient Uptake: Innovations in Sustainable Agriculture

Efficient nutrient management is essential for achieving sustainable agricultural production while minimizing environmental impacts. Conventional soil fertilization often suffers from nutrient losses through leaching, fixation, volatilization and runoff, reducing fertilizer use efficiency and increasing production costs. Foliar nutrient application has emerged as a promising complementary strategy that enables rapid nutrient absorption, corrects deficiencies during critical crop growth stages and enhances crop productivity and quality with lower environmental footprints. However, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the mechanisms of foliar nutrient uptake, the influence of environmental and physiological factors and the optimization of emerging nutrient delivery technologies.This Research Topic aims to advance the science of foliar nutrient uptake by bringing together innovative research on nutrient absorption mechanisms, formulation technologies, nano fertilizers, biostimulants, precision application techniques and crop-specific management strategies. It seeks to foster interdisciplinary approaches that improve nutrient use efficiency, enhance crop resilience under climate change and promote sustainable agricultural systems. The collection will provide scientific insights and practical solutions for developing next-generation foliar nutrition strategies that support high productivity, resource conservation and global food security.This Research Topic aims to provide a platform for exploring novel strategies and technologies aimed at improving foliar nutrient uptake in plants, with a particular focus on essential elements such as phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium and foster a deeper understanding of the factors influencing foliar nutrient absorption and to drive innovation in sustainable agriculture practices, ultimately contributing to enhanced plant and human nutrition.Contributions may address the role of leaf surface characteristics, wettability, and foliar fertilizer formulations, including the use of nano- and micro-particles, in nutrient absorption. The integration of advanced methodologies such as geochemical modelling and electron microscopy to elucidate the mechanisms underlying foliar uptake is encouraged.Historical context highlights the transition from traditional soil fertilization to foliar applications as a response to the challenges of nutrient runoff and low soil fertilization efficiency. Areas of interest include the impact of surfactants and hygroscopic properties of fertilizer salts on nutrient delivery, as well as the physiological and biochemical responses of plants to foliar nutrition.We welcome original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives and methods papers related, but not limited to:- The understanding and application of foliar nutrient uptake in sustainable agriculture. - The physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms of foliar nutrient absorption and translocation; innovative foliar fertilizer formulations; nanofertilizers and controlled-release technologies; biostimulants; precision foliar application techniques; nutrient use efficiency; crop responses to foliar nutrition under abiotic and biotic stresses; digital and sensor-based nutrient management; and the integration of foliar fertilization with climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices. - Studies involving field, greenhouse, laboratory, modeling, and multi-omics approaches are encouraged. - The agronomic, environmental, and economic impacts of foliar nutrient management across diverse crops and agroecological conditions, while providing practical recommendations for improving crop productivity, nutritional quality, and sustainability, are particularly welcome. Topic editors: Hanuman Singh Jatav, Prakash Kumar Jha, Vijay Singh Meena Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83420/revolutionizing-foliar-nutrient-uptake-innovations-in-sustainable-agriculture