A method for increasing and/or preserving yields and/or biomass in crop species including potatoes, beets, sugar cane, corn, soybeans and others by exogenous application of trehalose and/or trehalose derivatives at any time in the growing process such as before crop sowing, during sowing, or during plant establishment. The method, when applied early in crop production results in enhanced health and vigor of the mother plant resulting in healthier produce having reduced sugars from the mother plant.