Biotechnology of protection against water stress

Deficiency of moisture for the formation of sustainable crops
– is probably the most urgent problem of world agriculture. Scientists emphasize that due to climate changes, Ukraine is moving into a zone of extremely high temperatures and weather cataclysms.

Unfortunately, Ukraine is among the leaders of countries in terms of warming rates. At the same time, there is a clear tendency to decrease precipitation in winter by 3-17%, and in summer and spring – almost unchanged, which leads to an increase in arid areas and an increase in the frequency of droughts.

FAO experts emphasize that such “heat waves” can cause premature ripening of spring agricultural crops and reduce their yield. The most disappointing forecast for corn: the underachieved harvest may reach 20-30%.

How to counteract drought

Of course, humanity can influence climate change to some extent by complying with agreements to reduce greenhouse emissions. In turn, agrarians switch to farming taking into account climate changes, observing crop rotation, using drought-resistant varieties and hybrids.

Implementation and restoration of effective irrigation systems, in particular drip irrigation, is perhaps the most reliable way to combat drought. However, in view of the significant investments in such projects and the lack of sources of water supply, this path is inaccessible to many farmers.

Close the vents

It was these circumstances that forced French scientists to look for technological solutions that would make it possible to reduce the plant’s water consumption, reduce the impact of water stress and better realize its yield potential. Five years ago, three colleagues founded the company Elicit Plant (Elicit Plant: www.elicid-plant.com), which specializes in biotechnology for the agricultural sector. And a few years later, the microbiologists of the company created the BEST-a plant growth regulator, which is able to influence the regulation of stomatal closure and the growth and development of the plant, its stress resistance, in particular resistance to drought conditions.

After spraying with the preparation “BEST-a”, plants under the action of phytosterols actively build up the root system, which penetrates into the deep layers of the soil in search of moisture and thus provides it with moisture and nutrients. At the same time, during the onset of drought, phytosterols give a signal to close the stomata of the leaf surface, thus limiting leaf evapotranspiration and evaporation of moisture.

Any plant that gets into water stress begins to synthesize phytosterols, which give it a signal that it is necessary to develop the root system deeper in search of moisture. In corn, these phytosterols also signal to the plant that it is necessary to close the stomata so that excess moisture does not evaporate, thus reducing the transpiration rate to 50%. Reducing the stress period caused by drought, for example, in corn, contributes to the formation of a fuller cob, with a larger number of grains and a weight of a thousand seeds, that is, an increase in yield.

One application of BEST is enough for the effect to last until the end of the season. On corn, the developers recommend applying the drug in the 8-10 leaf phase, since a fairly developed leaf surface is necessary to achieve the best result. On sunflower, the product must be applied a little earlier, since the main effect of the drug is aimed at the formation of a powerful root system of the culture.

In order to get acquainted with the new product and modern technologies, LLC “Agrarian Chemical Company” held a series of training seminars for managers with the participation of Elisit Plant specialists: Gerard de La Salle – regional manager in Ukraine and Vitaly Gryshchenko – consulting agronomist.

In addition, the Company provided experienced farmers-clients of AHC in various regions of Ukraine with volumes of Best-a, for the establishment of experimental plots on which, under the control of our managers and Elisit Plant specialists, the effectiveness of the growth stimulator will be determined. Our readers will receive the results of the experiments later

According to the materials of the article

Lyudmila Morozova

lyudmyla.morozova@agpmedia.com.ua