''Plant and seed priming as ‘green’ tools for sustainable agriculture''

Dr Vasileios Fotopoulos

Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology & Food Science

Cyprus University of Technology

Limassol

CYPRUS

Friday, September 23, 2022
11:30

Increased frequency of extreme environmental events resulting from global climatic changes remarkably influences plant growth and development. Close examination of plant-to-plant communication in nature has revealed the development of unique strategies from plants for responding to abiotic stress, with one of the most interesting being through priming for improved defense responses. The process of priming involves prior exposure to a biotic or abiotic stress factor making a plant more tolerant to future exposure. Priming can also be achieved by applying natural or synthetic compounds which act as signaling transducers, ‘activating’ the plant’s defense system. The development of sustainable, ‘green’ technologies is therefore becoming of utmost importance, also due to the need for reduced agrochemical use. The current presentation gives an up-to-date description of main research activities carried out at the Cyprus University of Technology with the employment of chemical compounds, microorganisms and advanced nanomaterials and polymers applied as priming agents for stress protection and improved growth at plant and seed level, with current efforts focusing on potential commercialization approaches. This technology offers an attractive alternative to established approaches such as conventional breeding and genetic modification with key advantages, representing a characteristic example of integrative plant physiology where multiple disciplines such as materials science, agriculture and analytical chemistry join forces to develop exciting new tools in modern agriculture.

Jozef Schell seminar room
Technologiepark 71 - 9052 

Genome editing, cutting-edge technology for a sustainable agriculture