Citric acid primarily helps plants by enhancing their tolerance to challenging environmental conditions, known as abiotic stress.
Citric acid (CA), also referred to as citrate, plays a beneficial role in plant health, particularly when plants face difficult growing conditions. Research indicates that citric acid can significantly confer abiotic stress tolerance to plants.
What does this mean for plant growth?
- Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Abiotic stress refers to non-living environmental factors that negatively impact plant growth and development. Examples include:
- Drought (lack of water)
- Salinity (high salt levels in soil)
- Extreme temperatures (heat or cold)
- Heavy metal toxicity in the soil
- Nutrient deficiencies
By conferring tolerance, citric acid helps plants withstand these harsh conditions better than they otherwise could.
- Improved Growth and Yield: Studies have shown that applying citric acid externally, a process called exogenous CA application, leads to tangible benefits for crops. Under various abiotic stress conditions, plants treated with citric acid demonstrate improved growth and yield. This means they grow larger, healthier, and produce more despite the stress they are experiencing.
Essentially, citric acid acts as a protective agent, helping plants maintain their vitality and productivity when environmental conditions are unfavorable. This makes it a valuable tool in agriculture, especially in areas prone to environmental challenges.
