Roots are still the "main gateway" to nutrition
According to MSc Nguyen Phuoc Tuyen, former Director of the Dong Thap Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in many fruit tree growing areas, especially durian in the Mekong Delta, there is a fairly common situation that gardeners provide fertilizer through leaves and young fruits, but do not pay due attention to the soil environment and root system. "This does not bring about effectiveness. Because roots are still the main gateway to provide nutrients for plants," Mr. Tuyen said.
According to plant physiological principles, most of the nutrients of durian plants are absorbed through the root system. The plant's root system grows strongly in the topsoil – where there is a lot of oxygen and organic matter. This is also a strongly active silk root region, which plays a role in absorbing water and minerals necessary for the plant.
According to Mr. Tuyen, the process of nutrient absorption through roots takes place according to many mechanisms. First of all, the mass flow, when nutrients dissolve in soil water are absorbed by the roots along with the water flow. Elements such as nitrate, calcium and magnesium are often transported according to this mechanism.
Besides, there is diffusion, that is, nutrient ions moving from soil areas with high concentrations to root areas with low concentrations. Phosphorus and potassium often move according to this mechanism but the distance is quite short, so soil compressed or poor in organic matter will reduce absorption efficiency.
Another mechanism is ion exchange, when the roots secrete H+ ions to exchange with nutrient ions in the soil such as potassium, calcium or magnesium. This process is favorable when the soil pH fluctuates around 5.5–6.5 – a suitable level for durian plants to grow.
Foaming through leaves, effective but only supportive
In fact, crops can still absorb part of the nutrients through leaves, flowers or young fruits. Soluble substances can penetrate through the epidermis or enter through the gas and then be transported in the plant's vascular system," Mr. Tuyen added. However, fertilizer spraying is only quick replenishment when the plant temporarily lacks trace elements such as botium, calcium or amino acid compounds.
These substances can help increase the vitality of the flower, support the pollination process and reduce premature fruit drop. Many other nutrients, including macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium – which are needed in large quantities to nourish the fruit – must still be supplied mainly through the soil and root system.
Choose an effective fertilization method to reduce costs
According to MSc Nguyen Phuoc Tuyen, if durian trees want to absorb nutrients effectively, gardeners need to focus on improving the soil environment so that the root system develops healthily. According to Mr. Tuyen, the reality from some gardeners shows that between fertilizer supply and crop reception capacity is not as expected. There are many reasons, but basically due to unfavorable soil and root conditions.
Soil that is flooded or drains poorly will cause roots to lack oxygen, reducing absorption activity," Mr. Tuyen emphasized: "The condition of compacted or poor organic soil also limits the movement of nutrients to the root area". Accordingly, the soil must be loose, well-draining and rich in organic matter. When roots are healthy, plants will absorb nutrients stably, thereby nourishing flowers and fruits better. In addition, competition between ions in the soil can also reduce fertilization efficiency. For example, when potassium content is too high, plants can absorb less calcium and magnesium, leading to nutritional imbalances even though fertilizer is still supplied in sufficient quantities.
Fertilization also needs to be balanced between macronutrient, medium and micronutrient groups, avoiding the situation of excess of one substance hindering the absorption of other substances.
In the context of conflict in the Middle East causing many fertilizers in the world to fluctuate in price, and the 2026 dry season is forecast to last in many fruit growing areas, experts believe that it is necessary to limit the trend of increasing the use of nitrogen fertilizer for crops, especially the supply through leaf and young fruit. When choosing the right path to provide effective nutrition - prioritizing soil and root system care - gardeners not only help plants absorb better but also reduce production costs, and contribute to reducing pressure on fertilizer demand in the market.
