Smart hormone technologies could help sugarcane survive droughts and floods

As climate extremes become more frequent, sugarcane growers face a double challenge: droughts that parch their crops and floods that drown them. A new review highlights how applying plant hormones from outside the plant, rather than waiting for natural processes—can strengthen sugarcane’s ability to cope with both too little and too much water.

The study, published in Agricultural Ecology and Environment, examines how exogenous phytohormones such as abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellins (GA), and auxins can improve sugarcane’s drought and waterlogging tolerance. These tiny signaling molecules regulate growth, photosynthesis, and stress defenses. When sprayed on leaves or delivered to roots, they can trigger the same internal mechanisms that help plants conserve water, maintain photosynthetic activity, and repair cellular damage.

For instance, external ABA applications have been shown to boost the plant’s antioxidant defenses and osmotic balance, limiting damage from reactive oxygen species that accumulate during drought. GA helps sustain shoot and root growth under stress, while auxins support root development in flooded soils. Together, these treatments could help stabilize yields in regions facing erratic rainfall.

However, traditional application methods, such as uniform field spraying—are often inefficient and poorly timed. The authors point to emerging technologies that can deliver hormones precisely when and where they are needed. Robotic systems equipped with sensors can detect early signs of stress and apply hormones directly to affected plants. Meanwhile, nanotechnology is being developed to encapsulate phytohormones in tiny carriers that release them gradually over time, protecting the compounds from degradation and providing longer-lasting protection during prolonged stress.

These “smart delivery” systems may transform how crops like sugarcane are managed under changing climates. By combining robotics, nanotechnology, and plant biochemistry, scientists hope to create precision tools that use minimal resources while maximizing plant resilience.

“Understanding and manipulating hormone signaling offers one of the most promising ways to protect high-value crops such as sugarcane from water stress,” the authors note. “Integrating advanced delivery systems can make these approaches scalable and sustainable for real-world farming.”

The review calls for more field-based studies to refine hormone dosages, timing, and combinations tailored to different sugarcane varieties and environments. With continued innovation, exogenous phytohormones and smart delivery technologies could help ensure a more reliable sugar supply in the face of global climate uncertainty.

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Journal Reference: Misra V, Mall AK. 2025. Application of phytohormones exogenously to ameliorate sugarcane's response to water stress. Agricultural Ecology and Environment 1: e006  https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/aee-0025-0006  

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About Agricultural Ecology and Environment: 

Agricultural Ecology and Environment is a multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on the agroecological environment, focusing on the interactions between agroecosystems and the environment. It is dedicated to advancing the understanding of the complex interactions between agricultural practices and ecological systems. The journal aims to provide a comprehensive and cutting-edge forum for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders from diverse fields such as agronomy, ecology, environmental science, soil science, and sustainable development. 

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