Two field experiments were conducted; one on wheat and another on barley during 2021, 2023 and 2024 in split plot design replicated four times. Main plots treatments included 4 seeding dates (first earliest possible seeding date in spring and later at weekly intervals) and sub plot treatments included combinations of two rates of N (80 and 160 kg N ha-1) and two rates of Manipulator (chlormequat) @ 1.8 l ha-1 in wheat and @ 2.3 l ha-1 in barley at complete tillering. Averaged over 2021, 2023 and 2024, maximum grain (4.33 Mg ha-1) and biomass (9.2 Mg ha-1) yields were recorded with seeding on May 8, with application of N @ 80 kg ha-1 and no Manipulator spray. Whereas, maximum straw yield (6.25 Mg ha-1) was registered by May 30 seeding, with application of 160 kg N ha-1 and spray of Manipulator. Increasing N rate from 80 to 160 kg ha-1 or spraying Manipulator didn’t significantly improve the grain yield, though Manipulator spray reduced the plant height by 4 cm. In barley, averaged over 2021, 2023 and 2024, grain yields were maximum with May 8 (5.19 Mg ha-1) or May 15 (5.18 Mg ha-1)

seedings. However, the straw (5.72/5.65 Mg ha-1) and biomass (10.2/10.4 Mg ha-1) yields were higher with the later seedings. Increasing the rate of N application from 80 to 160 kg N ha-1 significantly improved the straw yield, but not the grain and biomass yields. Manipulator spray had no impact on grain, straw or biomass yields, though Manipulator spray reduced the plant height by ~3 cm.

The growing global population and declining availability of arable land and water resources present significant challenges to sustainable food production. Advances in genomics, molecular breeding, and biotechnology offer powerful tools to unravel genome complexity and elucidate gene function. We employ various functional genomics tools including transposon-mediated and gene editing to modify, characterize and tweak plant genes. The transposon system, initially developed in barley and later adapted to hexaploid species, utilizes the two-component maize Ac/Ds system introduced via particle bombardment. Characterization of these mutants established the function of key genes including WAK1, AGO4_9, SPL3, TLP8 and miR172 genes and their involvement with root development, germination/sprouting, β-glucan metabolism, and spikelet formation. Additionally, our observation of the redox-dependent interaction between TLP8 and β-glucan in germinating grain extracts provides potential avenues for improving both malting quality and dietary fiber content in small grain cereals. Currently, we are leveraging CRISPR/Cas9 system to investigate biological networks underlying pre-harvest sprouting, flowering and physiological maturity, spikelet numbers and architecture, and β-glucan biosynthesis in small-grain cereals. Overall, our focus is on developing the next generation of healthy, productive crops in the scenario of changing climate.

In recent decades, heavy metal stress has emerged as a significant abiotic factor contributing to orchard contamination. High levels of lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) in the soil result from their frequent use as fungicides and pesticides. Additionally, food contamination has persisted due to over 50 years of insecticide applications such as lead arsenate and copper sulfate. Sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) is known for its medicinal properties, attributed to its bioactive compounds like phenolics, flavonoids, and essential oils. This study examines the impact of proline, a common compatible osmolyte which plays a crucial role in antioxidant activity, on growth and biochemical characteristics in sour orange plants exposed to lead and copper-contaminated soils. Citrus plants were cultivated in a greenhouse with varying concentrations of copper and lead (500, 800μM), including a combination of Cu+Pb (500, 800μM), and exogenous proline treatment (20mM). The volatile constituents of the essential oils from the peel of sour oranges were analyzed using GC-MS. Furthermore, the photosynthetic machinary was estimated by calculating the assimilation and transpiration rate of CO2 and the water use efficiency using a portable photosynthesis system. Morphological characteristics such as height showed notable

decreases due to photosynthetic disturbances especially at simultaneously high levels of Cu+Pb (800μM). In addition CuSO4 treatment at high levels (800μM) with simultaneously high Pb(NO3)2 concentrations caused significant increased, in lipid peroxidation (MDA), proline and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, while the antioxidant activity was increased. Proline treatment generally increased tolerance to copper and lead, and enhanced the accumulation of phenols and soluble sugars compared to untreated plants. These findings suggest variations in antioxidant responses to oxidative stress induced by copper and lead, potentially linked to the application of exogenous proline. This treatment appears to elevate antioxidants, thereby protecting membrane functions from ROS-induced damage in citrus plants.

Global wheat production is seriously threatened by salinity stress, especially in irrigated and desert areas where crop yield is hampered by salt buildup in the soil. Utilising comparative transcriptome analysis of two genetically diverse wheat genotypes—a salt-tolerant and a salt-sensitive typetreated with glycine betaine (GB), the goal of this work is to discover important genes and pathways involved in the salt stress tolerance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Due to its osmoprotective qualities, glycine betaine is known to increase plants' resistance to abiotic stressors like salt. Gene expression in wheat genotypes exposed to four treatment combinations—control, salt stress, glycine betaine therapy, and a combination of both stressors—was analysed using RNA sequencing. In our research, we found thousands of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the salt-tolerant and sensitive genotypes, underlining important pathways associated with oxidative stress, ion transport, and osmotic adjustment. Treatment with glycine betaine changed the expression of genes that respond to stress, especially when exposed to salt stress, which enhanced the mechanisms used for stress adaption. Important biological processes that are essential for stress tolerance were found using GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis. These processes include cell wall metabolism, fatty acid production, and cytoskeletal dynamics. These results give molecular insights into the mechanisms by which glycine betaine increases wheat resilience to salinity, potentially serving as targets for agronomic and genetic approaches aimed at enhancing wheat performance in areas impacted by salt.

In 2023, an experiment was carried out in central Italy to evaluate the effects of two different pruning intensities (“light” and “medium”) on the vegetative–productive behaviour and physiology of adult olive trees grown in dry conditions (without irrigation). The two pruning intensities corresponded to the following crown volumes: 10,500 m3/ha with “light” pruning and 8,500 m3/ha with “medium” pruning. Shoot growth was greater in trees subjected to “medium” pruning. During the summer period, the leaves of plants pruned with “medium” intensity showed higher values of relative water content (RWC), water potential, photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance than those of plants pruned with “light” intensity. At harvest, “medium”-intensity pruning resulted in a higher unit weight, pulp/stone ratio, and oil content and slower pigmentation and reduction in pulp hardness. Olives from trees pruned with “medium” intensity showed a lower ratio between resistance to detachment and fresh fruit weight, as a consequence of the greater fruit weight. Trees pruned with “light” intensity showed a higher olive yield than those pruned with “medium” intensity, but the difference disappears if yield is expressed as quantity of oil. “Medium” pruning resulted in greater productive efficiency of the trees, expressed as the quantity of both olives and oil produced per unit of canopy volume. In conclusion, in the conditions in which we operated, the pruning intensity was able to significantly influence both the vegetative–productive behaviour of the trees and the physiology of the trees. A canopy volume of about 8,500 m3/ha, obtained with “medium”-intensity pruning, seems to be the one able to ensure the best responses in terms of production and water status and functionality of the leaves. The results show that pruning can potentially contribute to the trees' adaptation to water availability and thus to the different conditions caused by climate change.

Global climate change, including increases in temperature and precipitation, may exacerbate the invasion risk of alien plant species. Predicting the impacts of climate change is crucial for the conservation of native plant species, the natural ecosystem, and agriculture productivity. In this study, the impact of climate change on habitat expansion of an invasive weed, Ardisia elliptica, was studied using a species distribution model under current and future climate change scenarios (Shared Socioeconomic Pathways SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5). The current invasion risk is highest in Oceania, South America, and Africa, affecting up to 31.07% of the total land surface. A risk assessment of 195 countries revealed a risk of invasion in 67 countries with no species occurrence records. Under future climate change scenarios, a significant global expansion of the distribution was predicted, with invasion in South America covering up to 64.85% of the land surface area by 2061–2080. Habitat suitability analysis revealed that 42 countries under the current climate and 75 countries under SSP5-8.5 have habitats with very high suitability for A. elliptica. Additionally, the species has already invaded at least 137 countries, and 52 countries, including Albania, Angola, Argentina, Japan, Uruguay, and New Zealand, are predicted to shift from low-risk to high-risk categories. These findings are crucial for developing effective biosecurity measures and sustainable management strategies at global and national levels for this harmful species.

Climate change is a serious threat to the biodiversity of natural habitats and food security because of the worldwide reduction of crop yields. In this context, studying plants' responses to abiotic stresses such as water deficit, high temperatures, or soil and water salinity, exacerbated by climate change, has become a priority topic. There is a general agreement that all plants, regardless of their level of tolerance, use the same conserved responses to abiotic stress – control of ion transport, synthesis of compatible solutes, and activation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, amongst others – although the efficiency and the relative contribution of those responses to stress tolerance may vary widely between species. In particular, the accumulation of the osmolyte proline (Pro) is generally considered a relevant plant stress tolerance mechanism. Indeed, many publications report significant increases in Pro contents in plants subjected to different stress treatments. However, there are examples in which the absolute Pro concentrations reached are too low to have any significant osmotic effect, and the possible role of other osmolytes has not been investigated. Also, in many cases, a direct implication of Pro in tolerance mechanisms has not been demonstrated. In this talk, some examples will be presented, based on our group's work over the last 20 years, showing that, for a large number of species, Pro can be considered a reliable marker of the level of stress affecting the plants. However, the correlation between Pro levels and the relative tolerance of related taxa can be negative, suggesting that Pro is not directly involved in tolerance. In any case, we have observed a large variability in Pro accumulation patterns in response to stress treatments. Therefore, any generalisation is risky, and the study of Pro functional role in abiotic stress tolerance mechanisms should be performed on a case-by-case basis.

The rapid rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂₎ concentrations is a double-edged sword for global food and nutrient security, presenting both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, increased CO₂ enhances photosynthetic rates and promotes plant growth, a phenomenon known as the "CO₂ fertilisation effect." This boost in crop biomass and yield is particularly pronounced in C₃ crops such as wheat and rice, with estimates yield increases of up to 24%. However, the benefits come with trade-offs. Elevated CO₂ also alters the nutritional composition of crops, leading to significant reductions in protein and micronutrient concentrations—especially zinc, iron, and other essential nutrients—impacting global food quality. This nutrient dilution substantially threatens the nutritional security of populations relying on staple crops like rice and wheat, potentially exacerbating malnutrition, particularly in developing regions countries.

Furthermore, the impact of rising CO2 on crop yields is complex and influenced by various factors, including temperature, water availability, and nitrogen levels. While some crops respond positively, others may experience a decline in quality and resilience under future climate scenarios. To address these challenges, adaptation strategies such as genetic biofortification, improved crop management practices, and sustainable agricultural techniques are vital. Research aimed at optimising crop performance and nutrient quality under increased CO₂ conditions, as well as developing climate-resilient crop varieties, will be essential for securing global food and nutrient availability in the face of climate change. This abstract examines the dual effect of rising CO₂ on agricultural productivity and nutritional quality, emphasising the need for innovative solutions to protect global food security.

Seed longevity describes the capacity of a seed to remain viable after it reaches maturity on the mother plant. Ageing makes seeds to accumulate damage, and consequently, to lose germination potential and finally to die. The search for mechanisms regulating this trait is a longstanding goal in agriculture because of its impact on storage and crop yields. It is becoming clear in the last years that the key to survival relies in a combination of multiple genetic pathways involving different seed structures. In addition, parental environment has also a major impact on seed longevity, although the molecular pathways transducing these cues are not well understood We have used the powerful genetic toolkit of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to characterise factors contributing to generate seeds that resist deterioration. We will present results to demonstrate how the seed coat, providing permeation protection to the embryo, is a critical factor in seed longevity, and how perturbations of lipid and flavonoid composition of this structure during seed development can have unexpected consequences in seed quality properties. We will also show recent approaches to ascertain how the environment during the mother-plant growth may influence seed longevity, and we will present some of the genes responsible to transduce these environmental cues. Even vegetative characteristics, such as plant architecture, may have an effect on the future seeds. In overall, an intricate compendium of factors during plant growth, seed development and environment determines the final properties of a seed. In a manner of a butterfly effect, perturbation of these factors can have dramatic consequences on their quality.

Plant health is conceived as the plant capacity of resource efficient production, of tolerance to abrupt stresses by extreme weather events, of bio-control or bio-defense of soil-borne pathogens and of safe synthesis of functional compounds for food quality and human nutrition. Biochar soil amendment provided quick restoration of soil organic matter, soil structure build-up and stabilization of toxic metals and organic pollutants in soil, benefiting safe growth of crops. Utilization of biochar for blending mineral nutrients creates slow releasing fertilizers so as to increase nutrient use efficiency and reduce the fertilizer dosage while supplement OC and minor elements to soil. Moreover, use of biochar for co-composting animal wastes to produce novel biochar-based composts is shown a useful application of biochar in organic agriculture. In addition, biochar use in anaerobic digestion and as sorbent in waste water and waste slurry is being explored in rural sector. As a particular case for rice crop production, biochar from rice residue to healthy paddy and rice can be managed into a closed loop: rice straw feeding cows and the manure into biochar-compost for soil amendment，rice husk biochar for biochar fertilizers and soil amendment, with more produced but less emitted. Biohcar could assist plant health with promoted growth and synthesis of functional compounds such as vitamin in vegetable plants and saponin in ginseng. Understanding the interaction of biochar-soil-plant interaction would help to find nature-based solutions to tackle the global dilemma of food security and climate change. The plant response both in biomass build-up and nutrition quality to biochar-based best management practices should be a research priority for crop production in agriculture facing the accelerated climate change and soil degradation over the globe.