Following the driest March for 60 years, Orion FT agronomist Mike Stoker suggests the threat of drought and heat stress can be mitigated by strengthening crops to grow longer, deeper seeking roots.
Cereal crops will be at risk due to the potential drought conditions faced this year. AHDB figures show that, on average, 10 percent of wheat yield is lost due to insufficient soil moisture. A figure that grows significantly in the driest years.
30 percent of the UK’s wheat acreage is grown on drought-prone soils and, as a result, crops can frequently fail when water supply does not keep pace with crop demand, especially during the critical stages of yield formation.
“Cereal crops can benefit from an application of silicon in spring to help root development when the crop needs water the most. Silicon can be added to an existing tank mix and could be the added ingredient that helps crops during this period of particularly dry weather,” notes Mr Stocker.
Plants that accumulate more silicon have been shown to grow longer roots. In periods of drought this gives silicon treated plants a significant advantage. Research published by Reading University shows plant mortality of a kale crop being halved through the use of silicon biostimulants,” he adds.
The highest March temperature of 21.3 degrees is also a warning sign that plants will be experiencing heat stress.
“Silicon boosts the strength of cells and, once it is absorbed, it becomes permanently deposited into cell walls within a matter of hours. The deposits form a strong silica-cellulose framework that is created quickly so the plant develops faster and can grow stronger with greater tolerance to stress,” says Mr Stoker.
Photosynthetic efficiency is a key determiner of how plants manage drought and heat stress. In trials, spinach crops treated with silicon showed an increase in chlorophyll content and improved photosynthetic efficiency when subjected to temperatures of 42 degrees for 24 hours.
“Silicon applications under drought conditions maintain plant nutrient balance and improve the uptake of nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and manganese. This makes silicon applications a viable option to improve plant water status and maintain plant water balance under drought stress conditions,” concludes Mr Stoker.
