The present invention provides a method for reducing plant water stress which comprises contacting plants with dry milled fibre, particularly wheat fibre and pea fibre. Said contacting is carried out in a manner selected from the group consisting of coating seeds with a mixture comprising dry milled fibre, pelletizing seeds with a mixture comprising dry milled fibre, applying a mixture comprising dry milled fibre in the form of granules, and applying a mixture comprising dry milled fibre in the form of tablets. Prior to said contacting, dry milled fibre is admixed with soil for plants, and the resulting mixture may optional comprise further additives such as fillers, binders, inert powders, colouring agents, fertilizers, fungicides, growth hormones, or microorganisms for inoculation.