Seminário – FIP 797

Coordenação: Prof. Fabrício A. Rodrigues

Seminário de Tema Livre: Abiotic stress as an important (?) modulator of plant predisposition to infections

Prelecionista: Richard Espinosa
Orientador: Eduardo Mizubuti
Data: 28/10/2025
Horário: 16 horas
Local:  Auditório do DFP

Abstract: Climate change predictions suggest that ecosystems are becoming increasingly hostile
to plant growth and development. This situation represents a direct threat to the
sustainability of agricultural systems and to the food security of millions of people
worldwide. Currently, extreme weather events occur with greater frequency; however,
crops also face continuous episodes of moderate abiotic stress, such as drought, heat,
salinity, and increased atmospheric CO 2 concentrations. These factors not only affect
the physiological and morphological processes of plants but also modulate their
defense mechanisms; e.g., alterations in the cell wall composition or an imbalance in
the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to cellular damage as lipid
peroxidation in plasma membranes and key organelles within the cell. Consequently,
abiotic stress can drastically modify the equilibrium of host-pathogen interactions,
increasing or decreasing the severity of diseases. Case studies will be presented to
illustrate some of the effects climate change may exert on plant disease development.