Good plant health is important for plant survival, so many researchers are concerned about the effects of stress on plant growth. Stress can be broken down into two broad categories: abiotic stress, related to the amount of light, temperature, water and nutrients, and biotic stress related to biological factors, such as the presence of natural enemies. In the case of abiotic stress, the effects vary according to the species in question. It should also be noted that abiotic stress conditions can affect the development of the plants being grown, from the germination stage to the maturation stage. Abiotic stress during germination can affect emergence, germination time, initial development and seedling size. In later stages it can decrease yield, flower number and fruit size and fruit quality.

In the case of biotic stress, there are a wide variety of pathogens that attack vegetable crops, usually bacteria, fungi, nematodes and mites. These pathogens can cause diseases that lead to plant collapse, decreased productivity, altered quality and loss of commercial use. For example, in potato, biotic stress can cause tuber rot and decrease resistance to other pathogens. In addition, metabolic factors can also lead to plant stress. Some plants produce metabolic compounds in response to a variety of stressors, such as the release of volatile compounds or hormonal inhibitions. These metabolic reactions regulate plant development and growth, but can also make plants more vulnerable to certain pathogens. Stress can also affect fruit durability and vigorous seed production. This is because fruits weaken prematurely and seed production is reduced.

Factors that generate stress in a vegetable crop

Growing vegetables, like most crops, requires careful attention to ensure that vegetables do not suffer any unnecessary stress. Vegetable stress can lead to a decrease in crop quality and yields, as well as susceptibility to disease, making it necessary to understand the factors that contribute to vegetable stress. Some of the most common stress generating factors in a vegetable crop are soil, water, temperature, sunlight, air, nutrients and the amount of fertilizers used.

1. Soil is the main factor with respect to vegetable stress, the soil must have adequate pH, sufficient organic matter and good moisture storage capacity to provide adequate nutrients and minerals to the vegetables. Erosion and soil compaction can also be problems, providing an adverse environment for planting.

2. Water is also an important factor in the growth of vegetable crops, excessive or insufficient watering can stress vegetables, water must also be properly drained to avoid ponding or excessive water accumulation.

3. Crop temperature is another factor to consider to avoid stressing vegetables, too low a temperature can be as detrimental to the plant as too much heat. Sunlight supply is also an important factor for plant production, vegetables must have enough sunlight for healthy development, but too much light can damage the crop.

4. Air is another key factor to consider in stressing vegetables, air properly mixed with oxygen provides efficient respiration to the plant. If the crop has excess dust, bacteria or is too humid it can cause stress to the plants.

5. Nutrients are necessary for the benefit of vegetable cultivation, incorrect use of nutrients will harm plant growth. Fertilizers are also important for a good crop, but excess fertilizers can also be harmful.

Vegetable cultivation

Growing vegetables is a great way to satisfy your need for fresh, nutritious food. Buying fresh vegetables from a local farmer or growing them in your own garden as a hobby can be very rewarding. However, even well-tended gardens can face stress-related problems. Lack of sufficient sunlight, inadequate nutrition or poor soil can trigger a variety of stress symptoms in your crops.  Fortunately, there are a few ways to manage stress in your vegetable crop. These strategies will help protect your crop and produce nutritious vegetables for your home or other customers. The first thing you should do, before planting your vegetable crop, is to create a safe environment for its productive growth. If you have marked and clean areas of your garden, you will be able to have better control over the temperature and humidity level of each area.

This will help protect your crops from excessive wind or drought whenever they are exposed to these adverse conditions. In addition, the type of soil in each area of your garden will determine the growth of your vegetable crop. For this reason, you should have a thorough knowledge of the soil type as well as its nutritional properties to maintain a healthy soil.  To ensure a good level of nutrition in your plants, it is also essential to fertilize with adequate fertilizers. If you need more detail, there are many books and resources available to learn about this subject. As for pest control, there are many natural methods you can use to control insects and other pests in your garden. These methods include planting pesticide resistant plants, using biological control formulas, as well as using beneficial insect baits to help control harmful pests.