- Advanced course –
Plants in a Changing Environment - a molecular approach
Hernâni Gerós - Viviana Martins - Artur Conde - Henrique Noronha Master Course in Plant Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship
Departamento de Biologia I Escola de Ciências I Universidade do Minho 6-17 June, 2016
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2 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho Climate Changes and Biodiversity Pedro Gomes – Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciências – Universidade do Minho [email protected]
Lecture summary: will be provided soon
Biographical note: He is Professor of Ecology and Zoology at Departamento de Biologia of Universidade do Minho and integrated member of the Research Unit CBMA (http://cbma.bio.uminho.pt/). The Biodiversity and Functional Ecology research group of CBMA develops theoretical, empirical and observational approaches to understand the role of biodiversity in ecosystem functioning and to propose actions towards ecological sustainability under the ongoing global climate change. The research group joins expertise on marine and freshwater biology, ecology, ecotoxicology, microbiology, genetics, and mathematics. The application of diversified tools (e.g. omics and modelling) to address questions on the ecology and biodiversity of wild populations allows the design of strategies for the management and conservation of ecosystems and populations.
3 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho Membrane Transport, Sensing and Signaling in Plant Adaptation to Environmental Stress Hernâni Gerós – Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciência - Universidade do Minho [email protected]
Lecture(s) summary: Plants are generally well adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. Even though they have notably prospered in our planet, stressful conditions such as salinity, drought and cold or heat, which are increasingly being observed worldwide in the context of the ongoing climate changes, limit their growth and productivity. Behind the remarkable ability of plants to cope with these stresses and still thrive, sophisticated and efficient mechanisms to re-establish and maintain ion and cellular homeostasis are involved. Among the plant arsenal to maintain homeostasis are efficient stress sensing and signaling mechanisms, plant cell detoxification systems, compatible solute and osmoprotectant accumulation and a vital rearrangement of solute transport and compartmentation. The key role of solute transport systems and signaling proteins in cellular homeostasis is addressed in the present work. The full understanding of the plant cell complex defense mechanisms under stress may allow for the engineering of more tolerant plants or the optimization of cultivation practices to improve yield and productivity, which is crucial at the present time as food resources are progressively scarce.
Biographical note: Specialization in metabolism and bioenergetics, with a special focus on membrane transport and regulation in eukaryotes, including yeasts and plant cells. Current areas of scientific activity include plant-environment interactions, plant stress biology, grapevine physiology & grape berry biochemistry. Currently, his Plant Biology Group focuses on grapevine source to sink interactions in response to environment and on key biochemical and molecular events occurring during fruit development and ripening. He is integrated member of CITAB http://www.citab.utad.pt/. As collaborator of CBMA he is currently involved in the study of the role of vacuolar (V)H(+)ATPase during apoptosis. He his professor at the Biology Department of University of Minho since 1990.
4 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho Soil, Nutrition and Canopy Management Strategies in Highly Sustainable Agricultural Systems Adamo Domenico Rombolà – Department of Agricultural Sciences, School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine – University of Bologna [email protected]
Lecture(s) summary: Highly sustainable agricultural systems (HSAS) are integrated systems of agricultural practices having a site-specific application. They provide tangible benefits on environment, soil fertility, biodiversity, resilience, productivity, incomes and capability to meet the needs of future generations and an efficient use of natural resources through heavy limitation/exclusion of water and fertilizers. Our Research Group is conducting studies in this area with emphasis on grapevine. In this context, we devoted attention to organic and biodynamic farming characterized by low inputs of pesticides and fertilizers. In organic and biodynamic vineyards, the control of the main grape pathogens such as powdery, downy mildew and Botrytis cluster rot can be troublesome due to few plant protection products (e.g. sulfur and copper) and because of the restriction on the amount of copper to a maximum of 6 kg/ha/year regardless of cultivation method (EC Regulation 473/2002) (Botelho et al., 2016). In addition, there are limitations on the amount of sulfites that can be added to the must during wine- making (EC, 2012) (e.g. 100 mg/L for organic red wine); therefore grapes, must arrive to the winery in a good sanitary status, even in rainy seasons, when fighting pathogens is though, for the above mentioned reasons (Botelho et al., 2016). Moreover, the EC Regulation (EC 2012) for the production of organic wines provides a series of restrictions and prohibitions in the use of determinate enological practices (e.g. dealcohlization), highlighting the indispensability of preventive action in the field to safeguard the quality of the grapes and derived wines. For these reasons, in organic and biodynamic viticulture, all field strategies, including canopy and soil management practices, should be addressed to preserve and enhance plant health and resilience capability, with the aim of improving the effectiveness of plant protection products and producing healthy grapes (Rombolà et al., 2015, Bondada et al., 2016). Soil management is one of the most delicate choices in the conduction of a sustainable cultural system, since it can influence the soil physical-chemical, biological properties, water balance, nutrients, presence of adventitious flora, enthomophages, pathogens, biological diversity within the agro-ecosystem and, therefore, the vegetative-productive balance of the grapevine (Rombolà et al., 2015). Noteworthy, in organic and
5 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho biodynamic cultivation methods the use of herbicides, such as glyphosate, whose level of dangerousness is currently at the center of a global debate, is forbidden. In a recent study, the implications of glyphosate on berry phenolic composition of non-target plants (cv. Ancellotta grapevines) were evaluated, showing a decrease in some of the detected anthocyanins (Donnini et al., 2016). Since 2008 a long term research is in progress in a hilly organically managed vineyard of cv. Sangiovese located in Northern Italy (Faenza, Ravenna), with the aim of innovating and improving the production process, by establishing highly sustainable viticultural systems. Different soil (e.g. intercropping) and canopy managements (e.g. post-veraison trimming and defoliation, shoot positioning through “semi-ballerina” effect) strategies and the use of biodynamic preparations have been evaluated. Neither fertilizers nor irrigation water were used. The vines have gradually achieved an appropriate vegetative-productive balance, as proved by the satisfactory yield, optimal nutritional status, high quality of grapes and wines. The use of biodynamic preparations did not modify fruit yield, soluble solid concentration, pH and titratable acidity of the berry juice, however biodynamically managed vines showed changes in physiological parameters typically correlated with plant biotic and abiotic stresses and associated with induced plant resistance (Rombolà et al., 2015, Botelho et al., 2016). In two vegetative seasons, characterized by different climatic conditions during ripening, 2013 (hot) and 2014 (rainy), post- veraison late trimming, imposed at 15 Brix, was compared with untrimmed control and early (pea-size) trimming (Tessarin et al., 2016a). Lower concentrations of berry skin anthocyanin and total phenolics, berry juice TSS, pH and higher TA and organic acids values were detected in 2014 as compared to 2013 (Tessarin et al., 2016a). Late trimming increased berry skin anthocyanin and phenolic concentration without modifying berry soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity, reduced malic acid levels at harvest, contained plant productivity, loosened clusters and limited the severity of Botrytis cluster rot (Tessarin et al., 2016a). Improved berry color and decreased malic acid levels were observed in early trimmed vines only in 2013 (Tessarin et al., 2016a). Bunches from early trimmed plants showed higher compactness and discoloration compared with those of late trimmed vines (Tessarin et al., 2016). Trimming in post- veraison is an effective practice for improving berry color, without modifying technological parameters in contrasting climatic conditions (Tessarin et al., 2016a). Concerning cluster morphology late trimming enabled to contain plant productivity and loosened clusters, therefore it could be considered as a simple, cheap, valuable alternative to cluster thinning (Tessarin et al., 2016a). These results are consistent with the findings of a four-year experiment, concerning the effects of post-veraison trimming
6 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho practices on cv. Sangiovese, conducted in a nearby organic vineyard (Rombolà et al., 2011, Bondada et al., 2016). In a context of climate change, where high temperatures are frequent in the first phases of berry ripening, the protection bunches from solar radiation is essential for preserving berry color. For the first time, the implications of late defoliations and shoot positioning on vine physiology and grape quality were assessed on Sangiovese, a variety particularly sensible to anthocyanin degradation and uncoupling between phenolic and technological maturity (Tessarin et al., 2016b). In 2013 and 2014, vines submitted to post-veraison (15 Brix), pre-harvest late defoliations and post-veraison shoot positioning were compared with untreated controls (Tessarin et al., 2016b). In these two contrasting seasons, late defoliations enhanced berry skin flavonols concentration without modifying anthocyanins levels, berry soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity (Tessarin et al., 2016b). Late defoliations and shoot positioning did not change bunch morphology, while limited the severity of Botrytis cluster rot (Tessarin et al., 2016b). Treatments did not modify leaf photosynthetic activity and stomatal conductance, the percentage of budburst of count nodes and shoot fruitfulness (Tessarin et al., 2016b). Increasing flavonols through agronomic approaches may play a crucial role in the co-pigmentation of young red wine, stabilizing anthocyanin and creating stable association to form polymeric pigments, important for the color of older red wines (Tessarin et al., 2016b). Our Group conducted research activities on the development of sustainable agronomic strategies for preventing iron deficiency in viticulture (e.g. tolerant rootstocks, intercropping with graminaceous species, animal blood-derived compounds, Covarrubias and Rombolà, 2013, Yunta et al., 2013, Covarrubias et al., 2014, Covarrubias and Rombolà, 2015, López-Rayo et al., 2015a and 2015b), reduce the susceptibility of grapevine too abiotic stresses and improve grape berry and wine quality (e.g. canopy-applied silicon sources and chitosan, Tessarin et al., 2016c).The achievements obtained in the development of soil and canopy management strategies in Viticulture received a great contribution from physiological and biochemical approaches, a regular presence of Researchers and Students in the experimental vineyards and International Collaborations, particularly with the Group of Prof. Hernâni Varanda Gerós of the University of Minho.
References Bondada, B., Covarrubias, J.I., Tessarin, P, Boliani, A.C., Marodin, G. and Rombolà, A.D. (2016). Post-veraison shoot trimming reduces cluster compactness without compromising fruit quality attributes in organically-grown Sangiovese grapevines. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 67 (2), 206-111. Botelho, R.V., Roberti R., Tessarin, P., Garcia-Mina J.M. and Rombolà, A.D. (2016). Physiological responses of grapevines to biodynamic management. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 1-12. doi:10.1017/S1742170515000320.
7 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho Covarrubias J.I, Rombolà A.D. (2013). Physiological and biochemical responses of the iron chlorosis tolerant rootstock 140 Ruggeri to iron deficiency and bicarbonate. Plant and Soil, 370: 305-310. Covarrubias J.I., Pisi A., Rombolà A.D. (2014). An evaluation of sustainable management techniques for preventing iron chlorosis in the grapevine. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 20: 149-159. Covarrubias J.I., Rombolà A.D. (2015). Organic acids metabolism in roots of grapevine rootstocks under severe iron deficiency. Plant and Soil, 394: 165-175. Donnini S., Tessarin P., Ribera-Fonseca A., Di Foggia M., Parpinello G.P., Rombolà A.D. (2016). Glyphosate impacts on polyphenolic composition in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) berries and wine. (Under Revision). Rombolà A.D., Covarrubias J.I., Boliani A.C., Marodin G.A., Ingrosso E. and Intrieri, C. (2011). Post-version trimming practices for slowing down berry sugar accumulation and tuning technological and phenolic maturity. In: Le progrés agricole et viticole. Hors série-special Proceedings of the 17th GiESCO Symposium. Asti-Alba (Italy), August, 29th - September, 2nd . pp. 567-569. Rombola, A. D., Tessarin, P., Tumbarello, G., Parpinello, G.P. and Versari, A. (2015). Evaluation of Soil and Canopy Management Strategies in Highly Sustainable Viticultural Systems. Proceedings of the 19th International Meeting of Viticulture GiESCO, Pech Rouge-Montpellier, May, 31st – June, 5th . pp. 95-98. Tessarin, P., Versari, A. and Rombolà A.D. (2016a). Physiological and enological implications of post-veraison trimming in an organically managed vineyard (Vitis vinifera L, cv. Sangiovese). (Submitted). Tessarin, P., Ricci, A., Parpinello G.P., Rombolà A.D. (2016b). Effects of bunch-zone late defoliations and shoot- positioning on berry composition and wine quality in organically-cultivated cv. Sangiovese (Vitis vinifera L.) . (Submitted). Tessarin, P., Chinnici, F., Donnini S., Liquori E., Riponi, C. and Rombolà, A.D. (2016c). Implications of canopy-applied chitosan on berry and wine composition in two different Vitis vinifera red varieties under organic management Food Chemistry. (In press).
Biographical note: Adamo Domenico Rombolà got the master degree in Agricultural Sciences at the Faculty of Agriculture of Bologna University with a thesis in Farm Organization and Management. PhD degree in Fruit Trees and Woody Plant Sciences. He is Researcher at the Department of Agricultural Sciences of Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, Professor of the Course Viticulture Management and Secretary of the Bachelor Degree of Viticulture and Oenology of Bologna University. He gave courses of Fruit Trees Growing abroad. His main research areas are: 1) plant response mechanisms to abiotic stresses; 2) development and management of Highly Sustainable Waste-Free Agricultural Systems, 3) nutrition and soil management of fruit tree crops, 4) organic and biodynamic viticulture, 5) physiology and canopy management of training systems for grapevine, 6) physiology and physiological disorders of grape berry, 7) Rescue and cultivation of local grapevine varieties.
8 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho How to unravel the ins and outs of a plant specialised metabolic pathway? A molecular toolbox to engineer the metabolic flux of the anticancer alkaloids from Catharanthus roseus Mariana Sottomayor – Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto – Universidade do Porto [email protected]
Lecture summary: After a general presentation of plant specialized metabolism and its importance for plants in a threatening environment, the students will be challenged with the question in the title and guided through a discussion to make them reason about the molecular functions involved in a metabolic pathway and how to approach their study. Subsequently, the current efforts of PLANTBIO to investigate the specialized metabolism of the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus will be presented. C. roseus accumulates in the leaves the anticancer monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) vinblastine and vincristine, universally known as the Vinca alkaloids. These MIAs were the first natural anticancer products to be clinically used, and are still among the most valuable agents used in cancer chemotherapy. Hence, the MIA pathway has been intensively investigated and C. roseus has become one of the most studied medicinal plants. The MIA pathway was shown to be highly complex, involving more than 30 steps, and to present subcellular and multi-cellular compartmentation in C. roseus leaves. The recent and on-going efforts of PLANTBIO to identify key genes involved in the MIA pathway and generate a molecular toolbox enabling the design of successful metabolic engineering strategies for increased levels of the C. roseus anticancer alkaloids will be presented.
Biographical note: Mariana Sottomayor has a PhD degree in Biology from the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, with parts of the PhD project performed at the Department of Botany, University of Toronto, Canada, and at the Department of Plant Physiology, University of Murcia, Spain. She is “Professora Auxiliar” at FCUP, she was previously leader of the group Bioactive Natural Products at IBMC – Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, and she now integrates the group PLANTBIO at CIBIO/InBIO. Main research interests include plant specialized metabolism with a special focus in the anticancer alkaloid pathway of Catharanthus roseus, and plant redox processes involving plant peroxidases, namely with relevance for cell signalling and plant development.
9 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho Is Gene expression Analysis a Reliable Tool to Get Insight into the Regulatory Networks of Abiotic Stress Responses?
Sara Amâncio - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - Universidade de Lisboa [email protected]
Lecture summary: Plants adapt to changing environmental conditions by responding to simultaneous stress signals. This adaptation to multiple stresses relies on metabolic networks that regulate signal perception and transduction, expression of genes coding for stress- related proteins and/or the synthesis of specific metabolites. The response to different abiotic stress conditions, e.g. drought, extreme high temperatures, mineral or oxidative stress can be interconnected and induce similar damage. The major categories of genes responding to abiotic stress include, among others, those involved in: signaling cascades, membrane protection proteins, heat shock proteins, ROS scavengers and transcription factors. Transcriptomic analysis of two grapevine varieties (Touriga Nacional and Trincadeira) under drought or high temperatures (with or without acclimation), allowed comparing the response of grapevine to those stresses at the variety level. Peroxiredoxins (Prx) reduce hydrogen peroxide, then regulate its intracellular concentration, which can control gene expression and cell signaling. The effect of Prx suppression on the anti-oxidative system was studied in Nicotiana benthamiana by virus-induced-gene-silencing (VIGS) technique. Results of our research will be presented and discussed.
Biographical note: Sara Amâncio is Professor (jubilee) at Instituto Superior de Agronomia (https://www.isa.utl.pt/home/node/439) and member of the Research Unit LEAF/DRAT (https://www.isa.ulisboa.pt/en/leaf/presentation). Her current areas of research include: anticipating the effects of global change, individual and multiple abiotic stress in grapevine systems in greenhouse and field conditions, grapevine genomics: Gene Chip microarrays and quantitative real-time (RT-qPCR), genomics of sulfate assimilation genes in grapevine cells, roots, shoots, cell wall and secondary metabolism: structure, metabolites and genes characterization.
10 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho Omics in Plant Disease Resistance: Transcriptome and metabolome reprogramming in Vitis vinifera cv. Trincadeira berries upon infection with Botrytis cinerea Ana Margarida Fortes – Science Faculty - University of Lisbon [email protected]
Lecture summary: Vitis vinifera berries are sensitive towards infection by the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea, leading to important economiclosses worldwide. The combined analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome associated with fungal infection has not been performed previously in grapes or in another fleshy fruit. In an attempt to identify the molecular and metabolic mechanisms associated with the infection, peppercorn- sized fruits were infected in the field. Green and veraison berries were collected following infection for microarray analysis complemented with metabolic profiling of primary and other soluble metabolites and of volatile emissions. The results provided evidence of a reprogramming of carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms towards increased synthesis of secondary metabolites involved in plant defence, such as trans-resveratrol and gallic acid. This response was already activated in infected green berries with the putative involvement of jasmonic acid, ethylene, polyamines, and auxins, whereas salicylic acid did not seem to be involved. Genes encoding WRKY transcription factors, pathogenesis-related proteins, glutathione S-transferase, stilbene synthase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase were upregulated in infected berries. However, salicylic acid signalling was activated in healthy ripening berries along with the expression of proteins of the NBS-LRR superfamily and protein kinases, suggesting that the pathogen is able to shut down defences existing in healthy ripening berries. Furthermore, this study provided metabolic biomarkers of infection such as azelaic acid, a substance known to prime plant defence responses, arabitol, ribitol, 4-amino butanoic acid, 1-O-methyl- glucopyranoside, and several fatty acids that alone or in combination can be used to monitor Botrytis infection early in the vineyard.
Biographical note: Ana Fortes is member of the Research Unit BioISI (http://bioisi.ciencias.ulisboa.pt/node/37). Her current areas of research include: genomic research-assisted breeding for sustainable production of quality grapes and wine; transcript and metabolic responses associated with the susceptibility of grapevines biotic stress; impacts of biotic stress on regular ripening and flavour development in grapevine. She has developed research in CIB, CSIC, Madrid (Spain); CNB, Madrid (Spain); Facultat de Farmacia, Barcelona (Spain), Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden (Holland) and Stellenbosch University (South Africa). PhD on Plant Biotechnology, Science Faculty, University of Lisbon, Portugal, 2003.
11 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho Modern Viticulture in Southern Europe: Vulnerabilities and Strategies for Adaptation to Water Scarcity Miguel Costa – ITQB – Universidade Nova de Lisboa [email protected]
Lecture summary: This lecture will focus on major vulnerabilities and opportunities of Mediterranean agriculture, with a particular focus on water and viticulture. Indeed, water has become the most important but vulnerable resource in the Mediterranean region but irrigation expanded fast to mitigate environmental stress and to stabilize yield and quality. Better understanding of grapevine stress physiology (e.g. water relations, leaf temperature regulation, water use efficiency) coupled to more precise crop monitoring/phenotyping and to the implementation of best water management practices will contribute to mitigate climate change effects on modern viticulture and will help to save water in the vineyard and winery. A multi-level strategy (from plant to the consumer) that permits to improve adaptation to water scarcity, promote sustainable water use and minimize environmental impact of irrigated viticulture will be presented.
Biographical note: J. Miguel Costa is an agronomist (Univ. Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro), with a Master’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture (Instituto Superior de Agronomia-UL) and a Ph.D. degree in Production Ecology and Resource Conservation from the Wageningen University, NL. He works since 2004 at the Laboratory Eco-physiology Plant Molecular, ITQBNova - UNL (http://www.itqb.unl.pt/) in collaboration with the research group LEAF from ISA. His expertise is on grapevine water stress eco-physiology and crop stress detection. He has also worked with model plants at the Laboratory of Plant Molecular Eco-Physiology at CEA-Cadarache, France, namely on the screen and phenotyping of Arabidopsis stomatal mutants based on thermography and leaf gas exchange. He has been involved in several national and EU projects (e.g. EU-INNOVINE, EU-DIVERSFOOD) focused on sustainable agriculture practices and efficient water use. He is member of the Management committee of the COST Action FA1306 “The quest for tolerant varieties - Phenotyping at plant and cellular level”. Actual research interests are in the areas of crop water stress detection (e.g. in grapevine, maize), plant/crop phenotyping and sustainable use of water in modern viticulture and horticulture.
12 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho Plants in a Changing Environment: from an Ecophysiological Broad Perspective to Light Stress Ana Cunha – Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciências – Universidade do Minho [email protected]
Lecture summary: White and Critchley once said that plants have a love-hate relationship with light, and that is absolutely true. It’s because plants are so efficient in absorbing energy from photons to drive photosynthesis that light is also a threat. From IPCC scenarios and climate changes predicted for the Mediterranean region, thru the main plant responses to abiotic stresses, we will focus on the particular case of light stress and its interaction with other stresses, such as high temperature and water scarcity.
Biographical note Graduation in Biology (FCUL), MSc. in Plant Production and Forestry Breeding (ISA-UTL), PhD in Sciences - Biology (UM). Specialization in plant tissue culture, biochemistry and physiology. Professor at the Biology Department of University of Minho since 2002 and integrated member of CITAB http://www.citab.utad.pt/. Current areas of scientific interest include bioactivities of plant-based products and plant-environment interactions, plant stress physiology and grape berry physiology. It has also been involved in university extension activities participating in national and international projects, as well as in academic management as member of the directive board of master courses and of the Department of Biology, of the School Council of School of Sciences and of the General Council of the University of Minho.
13 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho Managing Environmental Stress in the Field Natacha Fontes – Sogrape Vinhos, S.A. - Investigação & Desenvolvimento [email protected]
Lecture summary: It is now well accepted that premium wine quality depends on the quality of the grapes used to produce it. Indeed, in a context of growing competition on international markets, it becomes of utmost importance to achieve higher quality standards in the vineyard. This justifies the adoption of site-specific management practices to simultaneously increase both quality and yield. Recent technological developments have allowed useful tools to be elaborated that help in the monitoring and control of many aspects of vine growth. Precision viticulture thus seeks to exploit the widest range of available observations to describe the vineyard spatial variability with high resolution, and provide recommendations to improve management efficiency in terms of quality, production, and sustainability. In this context, agrometeorological data collection and its integration in a decision support system together with grapevine water and heat stress management strategies will be addressed.
Biographical note: Natacha Fontes is a Biologist (Applied Biology Degree, University of Minho, 2005) with a PhD in Biological Sciences (European doctorate, according to Bologna - University of Minho and the University Bordeaux Segalen, Bordeaux, France). Has developed research work in national renowned laboratories (Laboratory Ecophysiology Plant Molecular, ITQB – University of Lisbon) and international (UMR CNRS Transport des Assimilats, Université de Poitiers, France; Écophysiologie et Génomique fonctionnelle de la Vigne - EGFV, INRA, ISVV, Bordeaux, France) and has been involved in several national and international projects, with more than 15 publication, including conference papers, articles in refereed journals and book chapters. Working as a researcher at SOGRAPE since 2011, the year she has finished a post-graduation in oenology (UC - Escola Sup. Biotecnologia, Porto, Portugal), she is responsible for several R&D projects aiming at providing support for innovation of products, processes, marketing and organization through the creation and application of new knowledge and solutions to problem solving and creating opportunities.
14 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho Stomatal Response Characteristics in Plants Grown at High Humidity Susana P. Carvalho – Departamento de Geociências, Ambiente e Ordenamento do Território – Universidade do Porto [email protected]
Lecture summary: Stomata from several plant species developed at high relative air humidity (RH ≥ 85%) may become malfunctional, leading to excessive water loss in conditions of high evaporative demand. In ornamental plants, including rose, this results in a low postharvest longevity. The factors underlying a poor stomatal functioning under high RH are not yet fully understood, but the magnitude of this effect is genotype dependent which broadens the possibilities for plant breeding. In this lecture we will discuss the anatomical, physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying stomatal malfunctioning in plants cultivated at high RH, focusing on abscisic acid (ABA) regulation and its effects on stomatal closure. We will also address potential strategies to mitigate this problem.
Biographical note: Dr. Carvalho is an Agronomic Engineer (UTAD; Portugal) and has a PhD degree in ‘Production Ecology and Resources Conservation’ from Wageningen University (the Netherlands). Since 2013, she is working as Assistant Professor at Faculty of Sciences from University of Porto and she is Associate Editor of ‘Frontiers in Plant Science’ (subsection ‘Crop Physiology and Horticulture'; IF=3.9). During the last 15 years of research, Dr. Carvalho has been mostly focused on ecophysiology, plant physiology and plant nutrition, frequently using horticultural crops as model systems. She is the author of about 75 publications (38 articles ranked in ISI http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7157-1079) in this field and has presented more than 45 communications in international congresses. To date S Carvalho has supervised/co- supervised: 8 PhD students (3 completed thesis); 23 MSc students (all thesis completed) and 13 licentiate students (all thesis completed). S Carvalho was the coordinator of 5 R&D projects and actively participated as member of the research team in 8 other R&D projects, including 2 EC projects.
15 Plants in a Changing Environment I Departamento de Biologia I Universidade do Minho