Drought Stress in Plants – Causes, Consequences, and Solutions

“The tree doesn’t die because it’s dry. It dies because no one notices.”

Water scarcity can have serious consequences for plants. It often starts with the closing of stomata, which reduces the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. This may lead to wilting and leaf drop, growth disturbances, or even the death of the plant if the drought persists.

Signs of water deficiency can appear in various forms: leaves turn yellow and develop brown edges. They lose their firmness, begin to curl, or fall off prematurely. Thinning crowns, dead branches, and a general halt in growth are also typical symptoms. In severe cases, cracks may appear in the bark, resin may leak, or the tree’s capillary function may become impaired.

Water shortage also has long-term, severe effects on nature. To counter these effects, it is essential to detect drought stress—caused when trees can no longer absorb sufficient water—as early as possible.

Drought stress can have multiple causes. Due to climate change, many of these factors are no longer exceptions but part of the new normal. These include extreme heat summers and weather events. Urban trees are particularly affected: they suffer from sealed surfaces, heat accumulation, and insufficient water supply. Rain often falls in isolated events and seeps away at the surface, meaning the water reaches the roots only with delay or irregularly. Even with artificial irrigation, trees may be unable to absorb water—often due to a high pF value, which describes the suction tension. This value indicates the effort a tree must exert to draw water from the soil.

Drought stress poses a particular risk because damage often becomes visible only years later. Mature trees show symptoms gradually and may die slowly, without the actual cause being immediately apparent. Drought stress also plays a major role in newly planted trees. Without targeted water management, the failure rate of young trees can reach up to 50%.

An effective solution to this challenge is offered by the PiCUS Tension. This sensor system measures various parameters in the soil and on the tree. By combining sensor technology, data transmission, and visualization, the soil conditions around the tree can be reliably analyzed. Based on this data, tailored irrigation recommendations support targeted water management, creating optimal conditions for healthy plant growth.

Learn more about the PiCUS Tension here.

Webinar Tip: Learn more about the benefits and application possibilities of the PiCUS Tension.

Date: August 5, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM CEST (Duration: approx. 30 minutes)

Register now for the free webinar!