Photosynthesis and abiotic stress

As sessile organisms, plants must deal with a constantly changing environment. One of the key processes affected by changes in environmental conditions is photosynthesis. Abiotic stress often leads to imbalances between the light- and biochemical reactions of photosynthesis. These may result in oxidative stress and damage, which, in extreme cases, can be irreversible. Plants have evolved various mechanisms to tune, protect and repair their photosynthetic apparatus in response to environmental stimuli.

 

In our group, we are interested in the functional, biochemical and molecular aspects related to adaptation and protection of the photosynthetic system at different light and other abiotic conditions, as well as in the build-up or break-down of the machinery during plastid differentiation. Our current studies focus on light-induced proteins, chloroplast proteases, and improving the response of sub/tropical fruit trees to temperature extremes.

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Light for improving crops

Light is a key factor that affects most processes in the plant. In crop species, light may have crucial implications for development, growth, productivity and yield. Depending on the geographical location, direction, canopy size and shape, or the technique of cultivation, crops may suffer from uneven light distribution and/or light limitation. Approaches to deal with these include modifying the natural light environment using nets and films, as well as supplementing crops with artificial illumination. The use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in horticulture has become widespread, and amongst their advantages are obtaining precise light spectral recipes and their feasible use directly within plant canopies. Our ongoing research focuses on improving fruit yield using intra-canopy illumination and photo-selective films.

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