Drought stress starts below the soil surface. As soil moisture declines, winter wheat has increasing difficulty accessing both water and nutrients. This is why drought stress in winter wheat should not be viewed only as a rainfall issue. Root system development and the plant’s ability to explore a larger volume of soil also play an important role in how effectively crops use the moisture that remains available.
Why does root development matter under dry conditions?
Water is not distributed evenly throughout the soil profile. When the upper layer begins to dry out, plants with a well-developed root system are better able to explore a greater volume of soil. A stronger root system can support:
- access to water from a larger soil volume,
- better contact between roots and soil,
- more efficient use of available nutrients,
- improved crop performance during temporary water shortages.
For this reason, root development should be supported before visible drought symptoms appear.
What happens to winter wheat during water stress?
When soil moisture falls, nutrient uptake becomes less efficient. Even when nutrients are present in the soil, their movement towards the root zone and uptake by the plant may be restricted. At the same time, plant growth and physiological activity begin to slow down. Drought stress can lead to:
- reduced growth,
- limited nutrient uptake,
- weaker root activity,
- lower physiological efficiency,
- reduced yield potential.
This is why crop nutrition under dry conditions should not rely exclusively on soil-applied nutrients.
Microbial support for root development
One approach is to support the rhizosphere with beneficial microorganisms. Fungi from the genus Trichoderma spp. can support the development of lateral roots and contribute to a larger, more extensive root system. A better-developed root system allows plants to explore a greater volume of soil and may improve their ability to use available water and nutrients during periods of temporary soil drying. Microorganisms do not replace water. Their role is to support the plant in developing the structures needed to make better use of the resources that remain available in the soil.
Why combine root support with foliar nutrition?
Drought affects more than water availability. It also limits nutrient uptake through the root system. This creates a strong case for combining two complementary strategies: microbial support of the root zone and foliar nutrition. Foliar application allows selected nutrients to be supplied directly through the leaves, complementing the nutrition programme when soil conditions restrict root uptake. This approach forms the basis of VitaFer hybrid technology – supporting plants both below ground, through the rhizosphere and root system, and above ground through foliar nutrition.
VitaFer hybrid technology in winter wheat
One of the components of this approach is VitaFer TrichoPRO, containing spores of Trichoderma spp. These microorganisms can support lateral root development and contribute to increasing the volume and reach of the root system. The second component is a properly selected foliar nutrition programme, designed to complement plant nutrition during periods when soil conditions reduce nutrient availability. The goal is not to wait until the crop is already suffering from severe water stress. The aim is to prepare winter wheat earlier, before drought significantly limits growth and nutrient uptake.
Field trial results in winter wheat
VitaFer hybrid technology was evaluated in a field trial conducted in Pawłowice during the 2024/2025 season on the winter wheat variety Gentleman. Yield results were:
- 10.29 t/ha in the VitaFer programme,
- 9.14 t/ha in the untreated control.
The difference was 1.15 t/ha in favour of the VitaFer programme under the conditions of this particular trial. Results from a single field trial should not be treated as a guarantee of the same response under every set of growing conditions. They do, however, demonstrate the potential of an approach combining microbial root support with foliar nutrition.
Prepare winter wheat before drought becomes visible
Once the soil is already severely depleted of moisture, the options for intervention become more limited. This is why crop preparation should start earlier. A well-developed root system can help winter wheat access water from a larger volume of soil, while foliar nutrition can complement nutrient supply when root uptake is restricted. VitaFer hybrid technology combines these two strategies – microbial support of the root zone and foliar nutrition. When periods of soil drying become more frequent, the most effective approach is not simply to react to visible drought symptoms, but to build crop resilience before water becomes the limiting factor.
