The world is getting warmer and drier. During the 2023 growing season in the United States, as much as 27 percent of agricultural land was in moderate to extreme drought.
That may not sound like a large percentage, but in terms of acreage, that 27 percent equates to 241 million acres according, to NOAA. If your acreage was in a drought your crops didn’t do as well, even if you irrigated.
What can you do in 2024 to drought-proof your acres?
Take a close look at the micronutrients and microorganisms in your soil. You can get soil samples anytime the ground isn’t frozen. Labs aren’t as busy this time of year. If the test shows you need inputs, now’s the time to buy them. Then you’ll have them to add as soon as you can get into the field in spring.
One micronutrient you’re looking for is zinc (Zn). You don’t need a great deal of Zn, in fact too much is toxic. Adequate Zn in plants during drought helps maintain membrane permeability, increases the activity of antioxidants, and makes photosynthesis more efficient. All are necessary for good crop growth during adverse weather conditions. (1)
Zn is a fundamental nutrient for plants and a cofactor of many enzymes. The first casualty of drought is the plant cell membrane. Water pressure maintains cell wall structure. Drought decreases the amount of water, plants indicate water loss through wilting or curling.
Plants with a greater leaf surface, higher chlorophyll content, and stomatal activity can handle more drought stress. Zn aids enzymes in achieving these characteristics while also decreasing electrolyte leakage. One study on wheat showed that Zn countered the adverse impacts of drought and increased wheat yield. (2)
Apply Zinc as Foliar Spray or In-Furrow for Plant Resilience
Zn increases the water potential in leaves during drought conditions. Enzymes are activated by Zn applications. During the growing season, foliar sprays of Zn regulate stomatal conductance. Stomata on the undersides of leaves are the breathing mechanisms of plants. When they aren’t working properly, the plant temperature rises and increases the amount of carbon lost to respiration.
More carbon lost to the air means less for the plant to use or share with soil microorganisms.
In-furrow application of Zn is also effective as a drought resistance tool. Plants naturally take up Zn in their roots as ions and circulate Zn ions throughout the plant biomass. Soil microbial activity increases Zn ions in the soil and helps make Zn uptake by plants more effective.
Products that work with a plant’s natural physiological processes are the most efficient for the application of Zn and other micronutrients. ST Biologicals has partnered with Qualitech and offers our clients the polysaccharide-based Q-Bio Zinc 7.5% for both foliar and in-furrow applications.
Polysaccharides are naturally occurring and are biodegradable, biocompatible, and non-toxic. Q-Bio Zinc 7.5% has a polysaccharide base that may also act as a plant growth regulator.
Are you ready to drought-proof your farm in 2024?
Contact our team at ST Biologicals and one of our certified crop consultants will help you with winter soil testing and lab analysis. Zn is just one of the many micronutrients necessary for drought-resistant crops and farm profits. The ST Biologicals team is here to help. When soil speaks, we listen.
