Water is an essential and important factor for crop development, as its lack is one of the main causes of stress.
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This imbalance results in water stress.
The regulation of osmolarity, membrane tension, and hydrostatic pressure is crucial for cellular function. The movement of water from areas of higher to lower water potential is affected by dissolved solutes, which reduce the amount of free water in the system, and by water loss through transpiration in the leaves. Water potential is defined by Ψw = p – s, where “p” is the hydrostatic force in the plant cell and “s” is the osmotic pressure due to solutes.
The Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) is based on transpiration rate and vapor pressure deficit, indicating conditions that can decrease photosynthesis and productivity. Cellular osmoregulation is a resistance response that reduces water potential in plant tissues, facilitating water uptake without affecting photosynthetic productivity.
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Osmolytes
Osmolytes are low-molecular-weight organic compounds that enable osmotic adjustment and enhance water uptake by plants . During this process, ions accumulate primarily in the vacuole, while the cytoplasm stores solutes that do not affect cellular macromolecules. These include polyols (such as sugars), methylamines, free amino acids, and their derivatives.
These osmolytes are compatible with cellular structures and functions even at high concentrations, without disrupting enzyme substrates or molecular interactions. They provide osmotic protection, stabilize proteins and membrane systems, benefiting plants under osmotic stress.
Osmotically active compounds are classified according to their chemical nature: organic acids (such as aspartate, oxaloacetate or glutamate), simple sugars (such as sucrose, fructose or trehalose), amino acids (such as proline, betaine, arginine), polyols (such as mannitol and sorbitol) and quaternary ammonium compounds (such as glycine-betaine).
For this purpose, Cultifort has extensive experience in the use of this type of active ingredient, making recommendations adapted to phenology, taking as references:
3. Indirect functionality of osmolytes.
- They improve stomatal conductance, maintain the activity of the Rubisco and the stability of the chloroplasts.
- They act like membrane and protein stabilizers.
- They induce genes related to osmotic stress.
- serve as source of carbon and nitrogen during cellular rehydration.
- They generate ATP during stress recovery.
- They reduce oxidative stress and slow down cellular senescence.
4. Land Regulation:
To improve water storage and availability in the soil, it is crucial to enhance the clay-humus complex and increase the content of the fine particles that compose it, as well as the aggregation and pores that allow air and water circulation. These pores constitute approximately 50% of the soil volume.
Water infiltration problems are due to the degradation of the soil structure , often caused by excess sodium in the clay-humus complex and in irrigation water, which limits the circulation of water and air.
Soil compaction and poor water infiltration negatively impact crop growth and yield, especially with the increasing frequency of droughts due to climate change. To address these challenges, Cultifort recommends using a strategy that combines products such as OXIFORT and MICROVITAL-L.
OXIFORT promotes soil flocculation, which improves soil structure by clumping clay particles into larger aggregates. This reduces compaction and facilitates better water infiltration by decreasing surface tension, allowing water to move more efficiently through the soil.
Water Stress
The use of water treated with nanobubbles and complexes improves soil aeration and structure , increasing microbial activity and nutrient availability. The increased oxygen favors beneficial microbes and enhances mineralization and nutrient conversion rates. Studies from 2022 showed a greater abundance of beneficial bacterial functions, resulting in higher crop yields, water use efficiency, and soil fertility.
Furthermore, the super-oxygenation of the water ensures optimal root function and a high rate of water and nutrient absorption.
With all this in mind, it is recommended to maintain a combined strategy that positively impacts the metabolism and self-regulation of crops and soils.
At Cultifort, we are aware of the impact of reduced water resources on the Iberian Peninsula , affecting crops and generating a significant socioeconomic impact. This includes a 40% reduction in exports, the loss of 6.300 jobs in the citrus sector, increased indirect costs, the lack of desalination infrastructure, and the need to resort to foreign markets with restricted phytosanitary policies in Europe.
Given this situation, Cultifort 's position for the near future seeks inter-administrative coordination and cooperation of the different regional, national and international measures in order to create and disseminate different proposals for action.