When International Ag Labs conducted its 10th Annual Field Day, we were pleased to host Dr. Don Huber as our main speaker. I enjoy picking up and dropping Dr. Huber off at the airport since it allows me 2 hours of captive conversation. Naturally I try to learn as much as I can. :)
Dr. Huber, as a world-renowned plant pathologist, has extensively studied plant diseases on virtually all commercial crops all over the world. He has authored numerous scientific articles and helped edit a number of books including Mineral Nutrition and Plant Disease.
Dr. Huber has extensively studied the chemistry of glyphosate and other herbicides. These herbicides have very specific effects on mineral availability and enzymatic processes in plants. He has observed how missing or inhibited minerals creates susceptibility to disease.
The reason I have such a high respect for Dr. Huber is because as a scientist he is intellectually honest. His quest is to get to the foundational cause of disease. Not put a Band-Aid on the problem and develop yet another crop protection product to mask the problem and enrich agribusiness.
Since I only study nutrients in soil, plants, and fertilizers I try to learn as much as I can from Dr. Huber. So, my big question the other day was this:
Are there any plant diseases that don’t have an underlying mineral deficiency or imbalance?
- The answer was vague but it appeared to be probably not.
This led to a discussion of what actually triggers plant disease. Here is the best way I can explain it.
A Pathogenic Organism, possibly with a supporting vector + Biotic Stress + a Mineral Deficiency = Plant Disease.
With that definition I followed up with my earlier question:
Then are all pathologies related to a mineral deficiency or imbalance?
- Perhaps…but we don’t yet know the triggering deficiency for all plant diseases. Still a little vague.
I decided to ask my question differently since I am not always the sharpest knife in the toolshed.
When you encounter a new disease do you look for a mineral deficiency to correct the problem?
- Yes, that is how I approach it.
Boom—I got my answer!
Dr. Carey Reams said it this way: “All disease is the result of a mineral deficiency.” Dr. Linus Pauling emphasized the same message: “You can trace every sickness, every disease, and every ailment to a mineral deficiency.”
I was surprised to find out something else from Dr. Huber on the drive back to the airport. In the 1960’s Dr. Huber was a student at Michigan State University. During that time, he worked with S.H. Wittwer and Dr. H.B. Tukey who conclusively proved that foliar feeding of plant nutrients really works.
They found that foliar feeding plants provided 95% efficiency compared to 10% efficiency when putting the same nutrients on the soil near the plant roots. Using radioactive isotopes and a Geiger counter they also discovered how fast nutrients move once inside the plant: 1 foot per hour.
The work of Wittwer and Tukey profoundly influenced the work of another young scientist: Dr. Carey Reams. Dr. Reams later went on to teach a good number of classes in the 70’s and 80’s on foliar feeding plants after using it for many years in his agricultural practice.
Those classes, team taught with Dan Skow, laid out the core principles International Ag Labs uses today when formulating and recommending the use of foliar sprays.
When the core principles are followed foliar sprays work—when not followed foliar sprays are hit and miss at best.
Here is today’s important question.
Can we use foliar feeding to overcome plant pathology?
- I believe we can because it has been done many times before.
When it comes to foliar spraying minerals, I find 2 methods effective.
- A General Foliar Spray Program
- A Specific Foliar Spray Program
In the general foliar spray program, we look to plant physiology to see what the general nutritional requirements are. Let’s use soybeans as an example.
- We know soybean plants want to make soybeans.
- We know certain minerals and foliar formulations promote blossoms, pod set, and increased yield.
- We know most soybean plants need extra zinc, manganese, and other trace minerals.
- We know soybean plants begin their reproductive phase as the daylength begins to shorten.
- We know silicon and humates work together to improve plant health and leaf efficiency.
Therefore, a general foliar spray program for soybeans could be:
Foliar Spray #1
- 1 quart Bloomit
- 1 quart WayAhead 7X
- 2 lbs. Dextrose
- Water as Needed
Foliar Spray #2
- 1 quart Bloomit
- 1 quart WayAhead 7X
- 2 lbs. Dextrose
- Water as Needed
Foliar Spray #3
- 2 quarts Black Silica
- Water as Needed
Note: Spray frequency is 2-3 weeks between applications. All amounts given on a per acre rate.
This general spray program would help increase yield and health in soybean plants. In many cases it would shut the door on pathological attacks by providing needed minerals.
Specific Foliar Spray Program
A specific foliar spray program is typically constructed after running a plant tissue analysis. If certain minerals are low in the plant tissue they can be applied through foliar sprays. For example, Iron chlorotic soybeans can be sprayed as follows:
Foliar Spray 1X per Acre:
- 1 pint WayAhead Iron
- 2 lbs. Dextrose
- Water as Needed
Another example is copper. When copper is low in plants it can lead to fungal susceptibility. To provide copper:
Foliar Spray 1X per Acre:
- 1 pint WayAhead Copper
- 2 lbs. Dextrose
- Water as Needed
In Summary
By using foliar sprays, we can provide plants with trace minerals in a highly available form with great efficiency. Only a few lbs. of product are enough to cover an entire acre. By using a general foliar nutritional program, we can help prevent pathologies from developing.
By using a specific foliar program, we can address known deficiencies and possibly mitigate an active pathology. And that is a very powerful tool in your toolbox.
P.S. If you would like to hear Dr. Huber in his own words here are a couple of DVD resources. The first is a pair of Dr. Huber’s presentations at earlier field days. Here is the link for further information.
Nutrition and Plant Health DVDs
The second resource is a class Dr. Huber and I taught together in Tifton Georgia. I taught the principles of Feed the Soil, Feed the Plant, Feed the Leaf to commercial vegetable producers and Dr. Huber taught on the subjects of disease-mineral interactions and pesticide-mineral interactions. He ended his presentation with a poignant call to reform farming for the sake of our children and posterity. Here is the link for further information.