How do plants intake minerals through their leaves?

Question

How do plants intake the fertilizer when it is sprayed all over the leaf surface as a foliar feed?

Answer 1

A1) How do plants intake minerals through their leaves?

Plants intake minerals through leaves via three main pathways: the stomata (pores), the cuticle (waxy layer), and ectodesmata (cell wall channels). The process is driven by diffusion and ionic attraction, allowing minerals to move from the leaf surface into the internal tissues.

Q2) How do plants intake the fertilizer when it is sprayed all over the leaf surface as a foliar feed?

Foliar feed intake involves the fertilizer adhering to the leaf surface, diffusing through the cuticle or stomata, and being actively transported into cells using energy (ATP). Once inside, the nutrients enter the phloem to be distributed throughout the rest of the plant.

Answer 2

Plants use their stomata and epidermis to uptake nutrients through their leaves.