Laboratory of Biochemistry and Physiology of Cultivated Plants

Head: Prof.ssa Stefania Astolfi

E-mail: sastolfi@unitus.it

The Laboratory is used to carry out basic and applied research activities and also offers numerous training opportunities for students and young researchers, such as internships, internships, final dissertations and PhDs. The scientific activity is mainly aimed at the biochemical, physiological and molecular characterisation of the mechanisms involved in the acquisition of nutrients from the soil in various crops (maize, wheat, barley, tomato). Roots represent the primary interface between the plant and the soil, playing a crucial role in the uptake and transport of water and nutrients essential for physiological processes. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the mechanisms regulating nutrient uptake and transport, the factors influencing their efficiency and the possibility of optimising it are analysed. Particular importance is placed on the response of plants to fluctuating availability of oxoanionic nutrients – such as sulphate and nitrate – and the availability of micronutrients (iron). Other research topics concern the study of the role of abiotic stresses (drought, heavy metals, irradiance, salt) in modulating nutrient acquisition and assimilation. These studies have a direct impact on agriculture, helping to identify varieties/genotypes that are more resistant to stresses and more efficient in the use of water and nutritional resources, with a view to promoting a more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, which is fundamental to addressing global challenges related to climate change and food security.