Stories - 20-03-2025
Understanding abiotic stress in plants
When plants suffer stress due to cold, heat, soil salinity or a lack of fresh water, it results in lower production. That’s why we develop varieties that thrive in hot, dry conditions. In this blog, Ehab Aboukheir, Team Leader Seed Technology Research, shares more about our research into abiotic stress, and how this guides our continuous improvement activities.
Fresh water for crop production
Plants are composed of approximately 70% water, making fresh, good-quality water a vital resource for crop production. However, extreme heat, water scarcity, poor water quality and more saline soils are increasingly common challenges for growers in various parts of the world. Known as ‘abiotic stressors’, these factors can significantly impact plant performance, leading to reduced crop yields and quality of harvests.
Abiotic stress research at Rijk Zwaan
“Abiotic stress is one of the research areas at Rijk Zwaan,” says Ehab Aboukheir, Team Leader Seed Technology Research. “Developing a new variety takes between six and 16 years on average, which is why we always need to think ahead.” Climate change is constantly making headlines, and in a growing number of regions there is shortage of good quality water. That’s why it is important to conduct research now to help us better understand how plants react to more extreme conditions.
Plant adaptations
Resilience to soil salinity is a complex trait. “When plants grow under salt stress, they initially suffer from osmotic stress. This occurs due to an imbalance in water concentrations between the plant cells and their external environment,” explains Ehab. This situation leads to physiological adaptations such as closing stomata to cope with this condition, resulting in a slower growth rate, smaller leaf area and less chlorophyll.
Ehab continues: “Subsequently, plants experience ionic stress due to the accumulation of ions, especially sodium and chloride, in the plant cells. This causes toxicity and disrupts cellular functions. Salts in the soil and water interfere with the uptake of nutrients, causing a second wave of growth reduction and eventually necrosis.”
Rijk Zwaan is conducting research to study how this stress affects plant growth, development and yield. “By understanding this stress, we strive to identify a stress-resilient plant. We examine gene banks for crop wild relatives and breeding materials to identify potential candidates contributing to resilience and then subsequently find corresponding genes,” he adds.
Selection fields around the globe
Rijk Zwaan’s research programmes enhance the understanding of plant mechanisms related to abiotic stress and corresponding genes. Complementing this, the company’s breeding programmes aim to develop new varieties that excel in traits such as yield, disease resistance and fruit quality, while also adapting to diverse climate conditions, including abiotic stress. This ensures the agronomical value of its varieties for growers worldwide.
To achieve this, we have established selection fields around the globe. These support the selection of the best-performing varieties under different climate and growing conditions. Additionally, together with partners, Rijk Zwaan is introducing new cultivation methods that use water more efficiently. These methods support growers in optimising their water usage and improving sustainability.
Research and development
Research is at out core. We breed future-proof varieties with genetic resistance to plant diseases, in anticipation of climate change and ever-changing market demands. Discover more on this page.
Related Articles
“Overwhelmingly positive feedback on Sweet Palermo in China”
Whether as an ingredient in a fresh salad, panfried with eggs, or grilled on a barbecue: Chinese consumers love to share their creative ways of preparing Rijk Zwaan’s Sweet Palermo®. “For me, their enthusiasm is the most inspiring part of our campaign,” says Vivan Wang, Marketing Director at Dole China. The company is committed to bringing ‘sunshine’ and ‘fresh’ to consumers’ daily lives, and Sweet Palermo plays a role in that. This prizewinning sweet pointed pepper brand will be showcased at the Rijk Zwaan booth at Asia Fruit Logistica.
“Rijk Zwaan feels like a close friend”
Contributing to a healthy lifestyle is a key driver of the ambitious Indian nursery, Nutrifresh. One way they achieve this is by cultivating SN!BS snack vegetables. “Children love the colours and shapes, while retailers are always keen on new products. Rijk Zwaan is my trusted partner for new varieties, high-quality seeds, agronomic help, and marketing connections. The company feels like a close friend,” co-founder and CEO Sanket Mehta says. He is looking forward to visiting the Rijk Zwaan stand again at this year’s Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong.