Due to the lack of moisture, the intake of useful micronutrients and substances and their transport when they are absorbed with water is significantly reduced.
Crop productivity is severely reduced under conditions of a combination of negative environmental stresses and nutrient disturbances. Thanks to advanced technology, methods have emerged to increase drought tolerance and minimize the negative effects of water stress and water losses in crops. Balanced nutrition is an effective strategy for increasing water use efficiency and saving yields.
How plants react to drought
If a plant is deficient in moisture, strong changes are realized in its metabolic processes. The amount of free moisture in the plant cell decreases, which causes an increase in the concentration of cell sap. Membrane permeability increases with a simultaneous decrease in enzymatic activity, protein and polymer structure is disrupted. There is a predominance of hydrolysis of organic components over synthesis.
The result of all the changes that occur is stunted growth, as the process of cell division is inhibited, and cell stretching becomes less. Due to insufficient water intake, photosynthesis is inhibited, which is associated with the closure of stomata and a decrease in carbon dioxide intake, disruption of mitochondrial structure and chlorophyll synthesis. When there is a drought, a large volume of toxic products accumulate in the cells.
Plant survival and growth under conditions of low water potential is ensured by the mechanism of tolerance. Nutrients play a major role in increasing drought tolerance when water supply is limited. It is important to provide the vegetation with a full range of macro- and micronutrients in order to achieve high yields. This can be achieved by using organic fertilizers, complex fertilizers, mono fertilizers and mono plus fertilizers in organochelate form.
The role of micronutrients
With the timely optimal supply of micronutrients, the efficiency of moisture use by the crop increases.
Deficiencies in nitrogen and phosphorus can negatively affect the plant’s root’s ability to absorb nutrients and water. It can be replenished by applying organochelate fertilizers as a plant feed. With their help, good foliar nutrition is ensured.
Good potassium saturation reduces the effects of water stress by regulating the opening/closing of stomata, reducing moisture loss, supporting osmotic pressure, and activating fermentation systems. (Read more in the article “Influence of Potassium on Plant Growth and Development” and in the article “Fertilizers Containing Potassium”)
Silica-based fertilizers have a good effect during drought. It provides improved moisture utilization and stimulation of plant defense systems. Increasing antioxidant synthesis achieves a decrease in AOS generation, so photo-oxidative damage is minimized, integrity of chloroplast membranes is maintained, and drought tolerance is increased. Complex fertilizers make it possible to achieve the desired effect.
The application of silicon-based monofertilizers allows the development of biosilicon structures in leaf cells so that they do not lose water by reducing the diameter of stomata, less cuticular transpiration. The use of compound fertilizers or individual silica preparations leads to an increase in the weight and volume of the root system, so moisture is absorbed much better, and leaf nutrition is enhanced.
Zinc is responsible for the balance of ions in plant cells and regulation of stomata. It also serves as an additional enzyme for the production of tryptophan, which is formed before auxin. Building up auxin levels markedly increases root growth, and this increases drought tolerance. Mono Zinc fertilizer activates antioxidant enzymes, which reduces the generation of AFCs, preventing cells from being destroyed by oxidation. Zinc is also present in complex fertilizers. (more details in the article “Mono Zinc”)
Mono Copper improves nitrogen metabolism, thereby mitigating the negative effects of lack of moisture, stimulates the formation of lignin and phenolic compounds, which prevents withering (more in the article “Mono Copper“).
Fertilizer Mono Bor is applied as an foliar fertilizer, providing transport of sugars, preservation of flowers and pollen formation. It is imperative to foliar feeding with boron to preserve flowers and promote the formation of fruits, increasing leaf nutrition. (more details in the article “Mono Bor”)
Using mono plus fertilizer with molybdenum increases drought tolerance. The accumulation of molybdenum in the leaves reduces water loss and alleviates drought stress.
The use of complex fertilizers with humic, fulvic and amino acids gives a good effect. Components in their composition provide active formation and development of roots, which greatly increases the use of moisture.
Employees of the Agro Support Department of the company “Zoloto Poley” will advise you on the use of preparations produced by the company. Phone *26-01 (calls within Russia are free).
In the “Results of Application” brochure on the home page, you can read examples of improved drought tolerance in crops.
