The transition from winter to spring is a key period for crops. Although daytime temperatures begin to rise in some regions of the peninsula, many agricultural areas still face low temperatures that can compromise harvest yields.
Cold at the end of winter is one of the main threats to agricultural productivity. When temperatures drop below the optimal threshold, , crops undergo physiological and metabolic changes that can affect their growth and development. This impact becomes particularly critical in late February and March when the increasing photoperiod and slight rise in temperature reactivate the plant’s metabolic activity.
At Altinco, we work to provide solutions that help crops face these challenges without compromising their productivity or the quality of the harvest.
How does cold affect crops?
Low temperatures in the early morning hours can lead to frost, intensifying the negative effects on plants. The resistance of each crop to these conditions depends on factors such as species, variety, phenological stage, and environmental characteristics. However, in general terms, when the temperature drops below +5°C, plant cells begin to experience water stress. This affects essential processes such as photosynthesis, nutrient absorption, and cell division, slowing growth and weakening the plant’s structure.
The risk is even greater if temperatures fall below 0°C. Depending on the crop’s phenological stage and whether its development is ahead of previous years, the damage can be irreversible, compromising the season’s yield.
For this reason, anticipating cold stress in crops and strengthening their natural resistance is key to ensuring their productivity and quality.
Impact of low temperatures on plant physiology
These are some of the main consequences of cold stress on plants:
- Cell membrane disruption: The freezing of intracellular water forms ice crystals that can rupture cell structures, damaging plant tissues.
- Reduction of photosynthesis: Chloroplast activity decreases, limiting energy production and slowing crop growth.
- Osmotic stress: The lack of water availability in plant tissues causes cell dehydration and alters osmotic balance, affecting nutrient absorption.
- Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS): These molecules generate oxidative stress in cells, accelerating their deterioration and reducing the crop’s regenerative capacity.
Altinco Algiforte®: Biostimulation to strengthen crops
To minimize the impact of cold on crops and ensure optimal development, it is essential to have solutions that enhance their adaptability. At Altinco, we recommend the use of crop biostimulants, such as Altinco Algiforte®, a registered biostimulant that enhances plant resistance in adverse climatic conditions.
Altinco Algiforte® is an osmoprotective biostimulant formulated to help plants maintain their cellular balance under low-temperature conditions. Its composition is designed to optimize the physiological response of crops, promoting the stability of cell membranes and reducing the impact of osmotic stress.
Altinco Algiforte® is registered as a biostimulant under Regulation (EU) 2019/1009.
- Classification: CFP 6(B): Non-microbial plant biostimulant.
- Registration number: No. CE-B/7/23/BS.
The Altinco Exact Nature® formulation is designed to provide comprehensive protection for crops against extreme climatic conditions. Its combination of active ingredients naturally strengthens the plant’s resistance. Some key components of Altinco Algiforte® and their role in crop protection include:
- Glycine Betaine: Acts as a natural osmoprotectant, accumulating in chloroplasts and improving cellular resistance to cold.
- Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract: Provides betaine, mannitol, and polyamines, compounds that regulate vegetative development and enhance antioxidant protection.
- Magnesium Gluconate: Supports photosynthesis and enzymatic activation, helping to maintain active metabolism even in low-temperature conditions.
- Polycarboxylic Acids: Improve water and nutrient absorption, reducing the impact of cellular dehydration caused by thermal stress.
Proven results: The efficacy of Altinco Algiforte® in crops
The effectiveness of Altinco Algiforte® has been tested on various crops, demonstrating its ability to mitigate the effects of cold and improve harvest yields.
- In lettuce crops, there was an increase of nearly 34% in weight, promoting development even in low-temperature conditions.
- In apple crops, its application improved fruit set by 14%, reducing flower loss after severe frosts.
To optimize crop protection against cold, it is recommended to apply Altinco Algiforte® preventively at least five days before the arrival of critical temperatures (≤ +5°C). This approach helps reinforce the plant’s resistance and significantly reduces the impact of thermal stress on production.
Preparation and prevention: key strategies to tackle cold stress in crops
Thermal stress is a recurring challenge in agriculture, affecting both productivity and crop quality. However, with the right strategies, prevention, and the use of biostimulants designed to optimize crop resistance, it is possible to minimize its impact and ensure more stable production.
The transition from winter to spring is a critical stage for crops, marked by unstable climatic conditions that require effective solutions for protection. At Altinco, we work alongside farmers to provide strategies adapted to the sector’s needs, aligned with sustainability and agricultural profitability.
If you need advice or more information on how to prevent cold stress in crops, our team is always available to support you in decision-making. This challenge affects agricultural productivity, but at Altinco, we work to provide effective solutions to overcome it together.
