Every grower knows how challenging it can be to protect crops from fungi and insects without relying on chemical pesticides. Plants naturally have a strong defense system but activating it when under attack takes a lot of energy, which can slow down growth. How can we boost a plant’s natural defenses without compromising its growth? The answer lies in proper nutrition, including calcium and biostimulants.
The role of jasmonic acid and salicylic acid in natural defense
When a plant is attacked, it produces natural signalling compounds to trigger its defense system—these include jasmonic acid and salicylic acid. Jasmonic acid is produced when sucking and chewing insects cause damage, or when necrotrophic fungi like Botrytis (which feed on dead plant material) infect the plant. Salicylic acid, on the other hand, is released when the plant encounters biotrophic pathogens that live on live tissue, such as mildew, rust, and scab.
Interestingly, a plant cannot activate both jasmonic acid and salicylic acid defenses at the same time. This means the plant tailors its response to the specific threat it faces but it also limits its ability to defend itself against multiple types of pathogens simultaneously.
Energy use and nutrient balance
Activating the immune system takes a lot of energy, which can temporarily slow down plant growth and make it less competitive. That’s why plants try to keep their immune response as short as possible. However, this requires specific enzymes that the plant must produce on its own.
For this enzyme production, a wide range of nutrients is essential. Simply supplying the 17 standard macro- and micronutrients is often not enough for the synthesis of crucial metabolites and enzymes. Calcium, in particular, plays a key role in strengthening the plant’s defense system.
Stronger cell walls as a natural barrier against diseases and pests
Improved nutrient uptake, particularly calcium, directly contributes to stronger cell growth and thicker cell walls. Calcium is an essential building block for cell walls and plays a crucial role in the structure and stability of plant cells. Thicker and stronger cell walls form a physical barrier against fungal infections, making pathogens like mildew and Botrytis less likely to penetrate. Additionally, stronger cell walls make the plant less attractive to sap-sucking and chewing insects, which typically target weaker, less resilient parts of the plant. By strengthening the plant in this way, not only is its natural defense optimized, but the need for chemical pesticides is also reduced.
Boosting natural defense with PlantAction and PlantForce
Nutrients and the presence of harpin protein are essential for strong plant health and effective defense. At Den Ouden GrowSolutions, we offer these elements through innovative biostimulants like PlantAction and PlantForce:
PlantAction (formerly known as ProAct)
This product contains harpin proteins that enhance calcium uptake in plants. The result? Stronger cell structure, optimized enzyme activity, and greater resistance to abiotic stress factors like heat and drought. PlantAction also boosts photosynthesis, leading to higher nutrient density and improved crop quality.
PlantForce (formerly known as FrosTect or ColorTect)
Combining harpin proteins with micronized calcium, PlantForce improves calcium absorption, strengthens cell structure, and enhances internal plant signaling. This increases tolerance to heat and drought stress, improves fruit color and shelf life, and helps prevent structural damage during mild to moderate frost.
In real-world applications, these biostimulants have proven to significantly strengthen plants’ natural defenses, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Integrating these advanced solutions into farming practices lowers both costs and environmental impact by minimizing pesticide use. This not only benefits crop health and resilience but also promotes a more sustainable and future-proof approach to agriculture.
Want to learn more about PlantAction and PlantForce? Click on the products below or contact us at growsolutions@denoudengroep.com.
