In this week’s edition of Growing Possibilities, we explore strategies for combating stress factors that can damage crops and hurt the bottom line.

Crops face a never-ending list of challenges that can cause stress and hinder performance. With reports of below-average rainfall across the Canadian Prairies, the word “drought” is top of mind for many (1). Navigating drought stress can be difficult to manage, and with lower-than-expected precipitation this summer, drought is expected to be a widespread concern.

Our food supply relies heavily on cereals and pulses, which require significant amounts of water. This means drought can seriously damage these crops, affecting both their health and yield. Given the current environmental and economic uncertainty, strategic measures are more crucial than ever to combat the threat of drought and other stressors affecting crops.

A proven approach to fighting drought and stress involves the use of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). These beneficial microbes help plants through several mechanisms. One key function is improving nutrient uptake, which is often severely limited during drought. Inoculating crops with rhizobacteria can enhance nutrient availability (2).

A variety of chemical regulators also influence plant growth. Phytohormones such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, and ethylene, serve as chemical signals that coordinate various aspects of plant development and stress response. Notably, PGPR can modulate the levels of these hormones, thereby enhancing a plant’s ability to cope with drought conditions (3).

Research has shown that PGPR can also induce changes at the molecular level. These genetic modifications can help plants better manage drought stress (2). Specifically, PGPR contribute to drought resistance by altering gene expression related to stress responses, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity to reduce oxidative damage, regulating hormone signaling pathways, and improving nutrient uptake along with root architecture to support more efficient water absorption (4).

At XiteBio Technologies, our line of innovative PGPR-powered products such as XiteBio® Yield+, XiteBio® Tuber+, and XiteBio® Vegi+ is designed to maximize nutrient uptake, increase stress tolerance, and promote stronger, healthier root systems. With the goal to deliver Healthier Plants and Better Yields.

References

1. https://www.manitobacooperator.ca/livestock/first-manitoba-hay-harvest-short/
2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42729-021-00724-5
3. https://agriculture.researchfloor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Plant-Hormones-and-Growth-Regulators-Mechanisms-Interactions-and-Agricultural-Applications.pdf
4. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10725-025-01300-y