Plant breeding for stress resistance

The main objective of plant breeding is to ensure the production and quality of crops in order to respond to the constant increase in world population. However, the genetic potential of plants is often threatened by environmental stresses (including biotic and abiotic factors) that limit yield and quality. Our research group at the Institute of Sustainable Agriculture (IAS-CSIC) focuses on the study of resistance to the main stresses that limit crops, particularly legumes and cereals, with the ultimate goal of improving their performance in the field. These studies are conducted at different levels: 1) molecular (genes, proteins, metabolites, signaling pathways), 2) cellular (microscopic determination of resistance mechanisms), 3) plant (physiological studies), 4) cultivation (field phenotyping, breeding and selection, crop mixtures). The ultimate goal is the improvement of crops for durable resistance to diseases and pests and tolerance to abiotic environmental stresses, mainly those affecting the Mediterranean area.