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FR Summer represents one of the most delicate periods for many agricultural crops. High temperatures, combined with reduced rainfall and an increasing frequency of drought periods, constantly put plants under pressure that can compromise growth, productivity, and harvest quality.
In recent years, these phenomena have become increasingly frequent and intense, making it necessary to adopt agronomic strategies capable of helping crops overcome environmental stresses. In addition to correct irrigation and soil management, it is now also possible to intervene through the use of natural biostimulants that promote a better physiological response in the plant.
In this article, we will look at how to recognise the effects of heat and drought stress, and what solutions to adopt to limit the damage.
Heat and drought cause stress to plants because they disrupt essential physiological processes. High temperatures can damage enzymes, denature proteins, and increase respiration rates, all of which can harm plant cells and inhibit growth. Drought, characterized by a lack of water, directly affects photosynthesis as stomata (pores on the leaves that allow for gas exchange) close to conserve water. This closure reduces the intake of carbon dioxide, a key ingredient for photosynthesis, thereby limiting the plant's ability to produce energy. Furthermore, water is crucial for turgor pressure, which keeps plant cells rigid and supports their structure. Without sufficient water, plants wilt, and their cells can collapse, impacting nutrient transport and overall function. The combination of heat and drought exacerbates these issues, leading to a severe lack of water and increased metabolic strain on the plant.
Plants are extremely adaptable organisms, but when temperature and water availability exceed certain limits, they enter a state of physiological stress.
During very hot days, leaf transpiration increases. If the soil cannot supply sufficient water, the plant progressively reduces the opening of its stomata to limit water loss. While this response allows for water conservation, it also limits carbon dioxide uptake and slows down photosynthesis.
The result is a reduction in vegetative activity, lower energy production, and, in the most severe cases, a slowdown in the development of the entire crop.
The root system is also put under pressure. Very dry or excessively hot soils reduce the roots' ability to absorb water and nutrients, further exacerbating the situation.
The most common symptoms of heat and water stress
Promptly identifying the signs allows for intervention before the damage becomes irreversible.
Among the most frequent symptoms are:
- wilting of the leaves during the hottest hours;
- loss of tissue firmness;
- yellowing and wilting of leaves;
- a slowdown in vegetative growth;
- Premature dropping of flowers or fruit;
- reduced fruit set;
- smaller fruits;
- a decline in the final quality of production.
In many vegetable and fruit crops, these effects can result in significant economic losses, particularly when heatwaves coincide with particularly sensitive phenological stages such as flowering, fruit set or fruit enlargement.
The productive consequences of heat stress
Water stress does not merely lead to a reduction in the volume of production.
Commercial quality can also be significantly affected. Less uniform fruit, smaller sizes, uneven colouring and reduced sugar content are just some of the problems that can arise following prolonged periods of intense heat.
Furthermore, a weakened plant often becomes more vulnerable to other stress factors, increasing the likelihood of developing physiological disorders or showing greater susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens.
For this reason, it is important not simply to take action once the problem has become apparent, but to adopt a preventative approach.
How to help crops overcome critical periods
Heat stress management must start with good agronomic technique.
Correct irrigation, possibly programmed according to the crop's actual needs, represents the first line of defence. Managing soil organic matter also helps to improve moisture retention capacity and promotes more efficient root development.
Alongside these practices, the use of natural biostimulants can provide valuable support for the plant’s physiological processes during the most critical stages. For a comprehensive overview of these products, see also Foliar and root biostimulants: how they work and when to use them in agriculture.
The aim is not to replace good agronomic practices, but to improve the plant’s ability to respond to environmental stresses, maintaining a higher level of metabolic activity even under difficult conditions.
The role of algae in biostimulants
Among the most studied natural substances are extracts from marine algae.
These ingredients naturally contain bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, natural phytohormones and numerous trace elements that help to support plant metabolism. To find out more about this topic, see also the importance of seaweed for plants.
The use of seaweed extracts is now well established in many crops because it helps plants cope better with adverse environmental conditions, promoting vegetative recovery following stressful events.
During periods of high temperatures, these compounds can help to maintain more efficient photosynthetic activity, support root development and improve the crop’s physiological balance.
Seaweed
Alga Extra: natural support against abiotic stresses
To help crops cope with increasingly extreme weather conditions, we have developed Alga Extra, a biostimulant formulated using extracts from selected seaweeds.
Its formulation is designed to support the plant during periods of heightened environmental stress, promoting a more balanced physiological response during times of intense heat and limited water availability.
Alga Extra may be particularly suitable for:
- in the periods leading up to heatwaves;
- during prolonged periods of drought;
- following particularly stressful climatic events;
- during the vegetative growth phases.
The aim is to help the crop maintain efficient metabolic activity, supporting growth, development and yield potential even when environmental conditions become less favourable.
Naturally, the product achieves its full potential when used as part of a sound agronomic strategy, alongside balanced irrigation and nutrient management. In this context, it may also be worth considering BETA, specifically formulated to regulate osmotic balance under conditions of extreme water and heat stress.
Prevention is the most effective strategy
When a plant shows obvious signs of stress, some of the damage may have already occurred.
For this reason, it is preferable to schedule interventions before the arrival of more severe weather conditions, especially in areas where high temperatures are now a constant during the summer season.
Continuous monitoring of weather conditions, combined with preventive measures and the use of specific biostimulants, allows for greater peace of mind during the summer period and preserves the crop's productive potential.
Conclusions
High temperatures and water scarcity are among the main challenges facing modern agriculture today. Addressing them requires an integrated approach, combining good agronomic practices, efficient water resource management, and tools capable of naturally supporting plant physiology.
At MS Biotech, we believe prevention is the best way to reduce the effects of abiotic stresses. That's why we offer solutions such as Alga Extra, designed to accompany crops during the most critical phases of the season and help preserve their vigour, productivity, and quality.
