
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.
Research personnel

Diego Rubiales Olmedo
Group manager
Research Professor

Nicolas Rispail
Senior Scientist

Eleonora Barilli
Doctor contracted FC

Mónica Fernández-Aparicio Ruiz
Dr. Ramón y Cajal

Pierluigi Reveglia
Doctor Juan de la Cierva

Yuliia Kobyrenko
Doctor contracted FC

Sara Fondevilla Aparicio
Senior Scientist

Gracia Montilla Bascón
Doctor Junta de Andalucía

Elena Prats Pérez
Research Scientist

Mario Gonzalez Romero
Doctor Junta de Andalucía
Personnel in training

Maria Cordoba Sanchez
JAEIntro ICUS Fellow

Manuel Alejandro Jiménez Vaquero
Predoctoral FPu

Sara Rodríguez Mena
Predoctoral FPI

Yaiza Del Olmo López
JAEIntro ICUS Fellow

Angela Molina García-Retamero
JAEIntro ICUS Fellow

Fatima Zohra Benhalima
JAEIntro ICUS Fellow

José Antonio Gámiz Lizana
JAEIntro ICUS Fellow

Antonio Moreno Robles
JAEIntro ICUS Fellow

Luis Miguel Gallego Sánchez
Predoctoral FPI

Salvador Osuna Caballero
Predoctoral FPI
Technical staff

María Jesús Cañuelo Jurado
Senior Technician

Mª del Carmen Díaz Expósito
Officer

Angel Gragera Terrón
Officer

Carmen María Ruiz Pastor
Senior Graduate

Francisco José Arguelles García
Officer

María José Cobos Vázquez
Senior Graduate

Manuel Ángel Miranda Reifs
Officer

Angel María Villegas Fernández
Senior Graduate

Francisco José Bermudo Castejón
Officer

Sonia Fernández Martínez
Officer

Antonio A. Nadal Moyano
Officer

Osman Wohor Zakaria
Senior Graduate

Álvaro Calderón González
Senior Graduate

Francisco Javier García León
Officer

Isabel Polo Henares
Senior Technician