Our Research
Mineral stress (nutrient deficiency and/or toxicity of mineral elements), is considered the single most important factor limiting crop production on at least 60% of the world’s soils and primary cause of about 50% of yield loss worldwide. As a consequence of low soil availability of micronutrients, over 40% of the world’s population suffers from micronutrient deficiencies. Furthermore, current demand for safe and high quality food is envisaged to double by the next decades. To overcome such problems by efficient and sustainable soil management it would be necessary to understand the mechanisms conferring mineral stress tolerance in plants, along with the rhizosphere processes that modulate the nutrient dynamics and availability for plants.
Primarily, we are interested in iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) deficiency, metal excess and salt stress, with special emphases on the alleviating role of silicon (Si) under such conditions. Currently, our main research topics are:
Role of silicon in mineral stresses
Rhizosphere phosphorus availability and acquisition
Micronutrient deficiency in crops and food quality
Ecophysiological adaptations of plants to marginal soils
Primarily, we are interested in iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) deficiency, metal excess and salt stress, with special emphases on the alleviating role of silicon (Si) under such conditions. Currently, our main research topics are:
Role of silicon in mineral stresses Rhizosphere phosphorus availability and acquisition Micronutrient deficiency in crops and food quality Ecophysiological adaptations of plants to marginal soils
