Seminar with Simon Stael, associate senior lecturer at the Department of Molecular Sciences, SLU Uppsala
Abstract
Plants constantly face various stresses, particularly from environmental factors and insect herbivores, as they are unable to move away from threats. Among these, weather-related events and insect attacks can be especially damaging. Additionally, plants depend on sunlight for energy, and both inadequate and excessive light exposure can cause significant stress. These challenges contribute to substantial economic losses in agriculture every year. Unfortunately, some of the methods we use to combat these issues can have adverse effects on the environment. However, plants have evolved highly sophisticated mechanisms to sense and acclimate to their surroundings, enabling them to build resistance against stress. In this presentation, I will highlight some of the ongoing research in our lab focused on plant stress responses to wounding and fluctuating light conditions. Our goal is to leverage these insights to enhance crop protection and growth, paving the way for more sustainable agricultural practices.