Combatting Abiotic Stress

Heat stress 

One of the main factors of abiotic stress in plants is thermal stress. This can happen when outside temperatures are extremely high or low. When a plant is subjected to heat stress, it will impact seed germination, seedling development, flowering, as well as the formation of fruits and vegetables. In midsummer, temperatures can be relatively high, increasing transpiration and dehydrating plants. This dryness will damage their tissues. Conversely, cold or frost can freeze and damage cells as well as prevent the proper development of the plant. 

Drought 

When plants are dehydrated or dried out, they can no longer perform photosynthesis or absorb the nutrients they need to grow, which will harm their growth. Drought is also a major factor causing abiotic stress in plants, preventing plant growth and crop production. 

Floods 

Generally, crops may be flooded following heavy rains. If crops are flooded, their roots will be submerged and deprived of enough oxygen. A lack of oxygen will cause significant damage to the roots, leading to serious consequences for the plant’s metabolism and its ability to absorb essential nutrients. 

Soil salinity 

Some crops are impacted by poor irrigation or water intrusion. When this phenomenon occurs, we refer to soil salinity because it undergoes an excessive accumulation of salts, particularly sodium and chloride. Soil salinity can sometimes be artificially induced due to poor fertilization of crops. In the case of soil salinity, crops will have difficulty absorbing water and essential nutrients needed for growth, which can result in abiotic stress, particularly osmotic stress. 

Essential nutrient deficiencies 

To grow, develop, and perform photosynthesis and protein synthesis, plants require various nutrients such as macronutrients, phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. If deprived of these nutrients necessary for proper development, their growth will be halted. 

Opt for suitable irrigation 

To help plants withstand drought, it is also crucial to review your irrigation practices to ensure your crops receive sufficient water without overwatering, which would be counterproductive. To distribute water evenly to all plants, using a drip irrigation system is an excellent solution. 

Maintain a good level of nutrients in the soil 

By maintaining an appropriate level of nutrients in the soil and fertilizing it regularly, plants will have higher resistance to abiotic stress. If there are deficiencies in essential nutrients for crop development, it is also recommended to nourish the soil with fertilizers. 

Select resistant plants 

While it might be tempting to grow different plant varieties, choosing plants that are particularly resistant to abiotic stress can be one of the best strategies. Today, many plants have been developed to offer better resistance to drought, soil salinity, and extreme temperatures. 

Improve soil structure 

If you aim to enhance the structure and water retention capacity of the soil, consider adding organic matter to reduce the risks of drought and soil salinity. 

Use biostimulants 

Biostimulants help in the development and growth of plants and increase their resistance to abiotic stress. Indeed, biostimulant products are particularly effective in strengthening plant vigor. Whether they include seaweed extracts or humic and fulvic acids, these products increase plants’ tolerance to soil stress, drought, and salinity. 

All of these strategies effectively combat abiotic stress and help avoid agricultural yield losses. Containing algae, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, humic and fulvic acids, and many natural compounds, biostimulants should be applied by spraying on each plant, on seeds, or directly into the soil. Using biostimulants will make it easier for plants to absorb nutrients, grow, and produce fruit. Additionally, this will have a remarkable impact on their quality and crop yield.