Maximizing crop efficiency with optimal water usage

The agricultural industry faces a significant challenge: by 2050, with a current consumption of 72% of available freshwater, producers will have to increase production by 60% to feed the growing population of 9 billion people while also promoting food security, economic growth, and sustainable use of water resources. 

Around the world, we are faced with extreme weather conditions, scarcity of water resources and droughts that affect crops, resulting in production losses. Drought is a recurring problem in many parts of Africa or Asia, whereas in Europe, generally considered a water-rich continent, drought is becoming an increasingly common problem in some regions. According to the European Drought Observatory, many parts of southern and central Europe experienced drought conditions in the summer of 2020, with some areas experiencing the driest conditions on record. This has led to concerns about crop failures, wildfires, and other impacts. 

In North America, some areas of the US and Canada are experiencing an unprecedented drought these past years, whilst in South America the situation is particularly worrying in areas of Chile, Peru, Argentina, or Brazil.

The fact is that crop productivity can be affected up to 15% due to increasingly frequent and intense drought conditions, and even a slight temperature rise of 1 degree Celsius can reduce crop yields by 4 to 10%.

Horticultural crops like tomatoes or peppers require daily watering and any water stress can significantly impact the quantity and quality of the produce. Other crops such as woody crops also suffer significative yield losses due to water stress.

But what can we do about it? Different strategies can help increase crop efficiency in the face of water scarcity, such as new irrigation systems, technological tools for precise water management, and plant breeding for drought-resistant crops.

These tools have been successful in improving agricultural water use efficiency, with an 8% improvement in just three years across 166 countries analyzed by the FAO. In developing countries, irrigated land is expected to increase by 34% by 2030, while agricultural water use will only increase by 14%, thanks to more efficient use.

However, at Symborg, we strive to find sustainable solutions that optimize existing water resources while maximizing profits for farmers. Our approach relies on microorganism-based biotechnology, which enhances crop root function to improve nutrient and water absorption, resulting in more efficient, productive, and profitable crops.

One such microorganism is the Mycorrhizal-Forming Fungus (AMF) Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum, the basis of several biostimulants developed by Symborg. This unique strain establishes a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship between the plant and fungus, where the fungus provides the plant with water and nutrients, while the plant provides the fungus with sugars derived from photosynthesis.

It's important to note that a plant subjected to water stress can have stunted growth. However, mycorrhizal symbiosis not only helps crops continue to develop by using water and nutrients more efficiently, but it also increases resilience to adverse climatic conditions.

This symbiotic relationship is more than just an exchange of resources. Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum also stimulates the plant to increase photosynthesis and sugar production, allowing it to continue growing and providing even more water and nutrients. Additionally, it can modulate the concentration of auxins in the plant, which are responsible for root and absorbing hair growth, resulting in increased root quantity, length, and connections with Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum.

Thanks to the greater amount of roots and absorbent hairs we mentioned above, the plant will have a greater capacity to explore the soil, which also means increased water and nutrient absorption.

Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum also improves quality, porosity and aeration of the soil, with greater water retention capacity, and, at the same time, we avoid nutrient leaching.

In short, with biostimulant solutions based on Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum, such as MycoUp or MycoUp 360, we provide producers with tools that improve water use efficiency and contribute to crop profitability and productivity, all while respecting the environment.