Scientist Reveals a New Way to Measure Plants’ Stress

Recently, a plant scientist developed a new method for identifying the level of stress that plants are under when they are subjected to multiple stressors, such as heat, drought, and flooding because of extreme weather conditions.

For the plant, a very little bit of stress can be beneficial.

A plant can be thinned out and encouraged to grow through proper pruning, for instance, so that sunlight can reach the innermost leaves and flowers.

However, excessive stress can be fatal.

Maintaining a plant's health as much as possible is the best method to aid in its recovery from stress.

After an unforeseen issue, healthy plants often recover on their own. Fortunately, removing the root of the issue will also benefit stressed plants.

Stressed out plants

(Photo : Jackie DiLorenzo/Unsplash)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), a group of molecules that have previously been disparaged, are produced by all organisms that consume oxygen, including humans, animals, and plants, as per ScienceDaily.

However, Ron Mittler at MU has discovered that ROS have a positive attribute: their function as a communication signal that really can reveal whether plants are stressed.

According to Mittler, whose appointment is in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, when stressors from heat and drought are combined, plants are unable to access the groundwater, so they close the stomata, which causes the leaves to become extremely hot.

Therefore a plant exposed to both heat and drought will experience much higher leaf temperatures than a plant that is only exposed to heat.

The difference, which can range from two to four degrees, can be the difference between life and death.

Crop loss is also correlated with plant stress; however, existing analytical study on the subject has typically concentrated on how crops respond to a single stressor.

Also Read: For Plants, More Stress Means Stronger Offspring

Tips for bringing back stressed plants

To restore stressed-out plants, you need to look for Dry Soil. For an accurate assessment of the soil moisture level, dig six inches into the area surrounding the wilted plants, as per SF Gate.

Wilting may indicate either insufficient or excessive watering.

If the soil is dry, water the plant right away, and keep an eye on it to make sure it gets the irrigation it needs moving forward.

Next, offer enough shade to escape the heat. Provide limp, wilting plants that have experienced heat stress with plenty of water and shade.

When temperatures are predicted to exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit, mulch your plants with organic material to reduce heat stress.

Pruning back harmed plants is the third step. Only prune plants with black, frost-damaged areas after any threat of a subsequent frost has passed and new growth has appeared on the plant.

Also, prune the plant of any leaves or stems that have been severely damaged by hail or strong winds.

The last tip for bringing back stressed plants is you need to add fertilizer if your plants are lacking the right nutrients. To relieve stress brought on by a lack of essential nutrients, fertilize plants that are discolored.

Fertilizers can burn or harm stressed plants, so instead of giving it an all-purpose fertilizer, try to figure out what the plant needs.

Pale foliage usually signifies a phosphorous deficiency, while red or purple hue results from a nitrogen deficiency.

Iron deficiency is probably present in yellow leaves with green veins.

A soil test can be the only way to precisely determine what nutrition the plant needs, even though color can give a clue as to the specific issue.

Related article: Climate Change and Heat: Preventing Crop Stress