Plant nutrient dynamics and ecophysiology
Whole Plant Physiology
Nutrients and pollutants are taken up from the soil into the roots and distributed via the transpiration stream in the xylem. Mobile elements can be further redistributed within the shoot via the phloem and may accumulate in harvested plant parts. Leaf proteins are degraded during senescence and the amino acids produced by proteolysis are exported to other plant parts (e.g. developing leaves, maturing fruits). Such redistribution processes are important for the nutrient economy on one hand and for the quality of plant products on the other hand.
Extreme climatic events affect plant growth and maturation. Heat or drought negatively affect photosynthesis and as a consequence biomass production. One particular enzyme, Rubisco activase, is sensitive to elevated temperature and may act as temperature switch in plants. The critical temperature for this enzyme depends on the plant species. The absorbed light may under such conditions not be used for CO2 assimilation and cause the accumulation of reactive compounds damaging the cells (reactive oxygen species). Therefore the detoxification of these compounds is a key process of plants under stress.
Research topics
Drought stress response
Heat stress response
Senescence
Translocation via xylem and phloem
Interdisciplinary
Wheat
Proteolysis
Rubisco and Rubisco activase
Plant productivity
Global change
