The country’s economy, household bills, the pandemic, traffic and work problems, family discussions: there are many issues that plague human beings every day. life is full of stressors that generate consequences in the body: physical discomfort, insomnia and even repercussions on mental health.
Given this, experts recommend working on the concept of well-being, implementing a series of actions that contribute to improving quality of life: meditation, physical activity, reading or contact with nature are some of the suggestions in vogue.
As in humans, the plants also suffer from stress. In this case, the deficit or excess of water in the soil, extreme temperatures, other inclement weather such as wind or hail, the salinity of the soil or the toxicity of herbicides, can cause restrictions during the growth stage of a crop. so that the final production expresses only a fraction of its genetic potential.
So, in the same way that rush hour traffic can make your head hurt, in crops stress is expressed in some visible and other physiological issues.
“For example, the first response to lack of water is wilting, due to the loss of turgor pressure. However, internally it affects the translocation of assimilates by altering the source-destination relationships, there are changes in gene expression in the leaves, there is an accumulation of abscisic acid, known as the stress hormone, which triggers the expression of several specific genes and induces stomatal closure as a defense”, he highlights. Claudia Mamani MorenoDoctor in Plant Physiology and Regional Technical Coordinator of Stoller Argentina.
Other examples: in the case of environments with high salt concentrations, The inhibition of leaf growth occurs, while at the cellular level the drop in osmotic pressure has been verified as a result of the accumulation of sucrose, amino acids, among many other effects.
Or when the crop supports low temperatures, In some species, leaf discoloration, delayed flowering, as well as the production of specific proteins in response to membrane cooling can be observed.
Another key hormone is ethylene. A growing number of studies in plants exposed to biotic stress or abiotic, highlight the role of ethylene under a wide range of stress: it regulates a defense response, mediating growth inhibition mainly in vegetative structures, affecting both cell division and expansion. Your response would act as a bridge between the changing environment and the adaptation of the plant.
Beyond these processes, the consequence is that production is compromised; therefore, profitability and also the possibility of investment in the next cycle.
Solutions
For Mamani Moreno, “just as science has made great advances in terms of knowledge about the plant metabolismadvances have also been made in strategies to cope with stressful situations”.
In that sense, “nutrition is important to cope with stressful situations. What so many doctors said in reference to the population, during the pandemic, also applies to plants. biostimulantsbeside macro y micronutrientsmake the difference when it comes to developing a strong root system, and achieving a uniform emergence of the plants.
Anticipate situations, preparing the plant for what is to come and react quickly in pursuit of their well-being, is another key slogan in this crusade, ”adds the Stoller reference.
A key is the timing and effectiveness of application, in the case of foliar fertilizers: “You can go from success to decline in case the chosen moment is not the right one. And it is essential to form a good root systemwhich ensures greater access to the water and nutrients necessary to build a resilient plant”, adds Mamani Moreno.
In Stoller’s case, the recommendation is the use of Bioforge, a formulated antioxidant specifically to meet the needs of crops in stressful situations.
Technically, your application overexpresses genes directly linked to resistance to adverse conditions and regulates the enzymes that participate in the synthesis of ethylene, encouraging the plant to improve its cellular activity, allowing the crop to recover from the stress event to which it has been subjected.
“This technology has been validated in studies carried out at various universities and has been recognized with international awards. BioForge received the Frost & Sullivan, North America Agricultural Sciences Green Excellence. This award is given annually to the company that demonstrates excellence in advancing products and technologies. At a local level, numerous experiences of producers also endorse it”, highlights Mamani Moreno.
In conclusion: just as in humans, the concept of well-being in crops facing stressful situations is possible. You just have to choose the product and the right time.