Page 15 - AWA Vol.41-No.3

HORTICULTURE

Understanding Abiotic Stress In Plants

hen plants suffer stress due to cold, ing this stress, we strive to identify a stress-
Wheat, soil salinity or a lack of fresh resilient plant. We examine gene banks for
wa¬ter, it results in lower production. crop wild relatives and breeding materials
That’s why we develop varieties that thrive to identify potential candidates contribut-
in hot, dry conditions. In this blog, Ehab ing to resilience and then subsequently
Aboukheir, Team Leader Seed Technology find corresponding genes,” he adds.
Research, shares more about our research Selection fields around the globe
into abiotic stress, and how this guides our
Rijk Zwaan’s research programmes en-
continuous improvement activities. hance the understanding of plant mecha-
Fresh water for crop production nisms related to abiotic stress and corre-
Plants are composed of approximately sponding genes. Complementing this, the
70% water, making fresh, good-quality Plant adaptations company’s breeding programmes aim to
water a vital resource for crop produc- Resilience to soil salinity is a complex develop new varieties that excel in traits
tion. However, extreme heat, water scar- trait. “When plants grow under salt stress, such as yield, disease resistance and fruit
city, poor water quality and more saline they initially suffer from osmotic stress. quality, while also adapting to diverse cli-
soils are increasingly common challenges This occurs due to an imbalance in water mate conditions, including abiotic stress.
for growers in various parts of the world. concentrations between the plant cells This ensures the agronomical value of its
Known as ‘abiotic stressors’, these fac- and their external environment,” explains varieties for growers worldwide.
tors can significantly impact plant perfor- Ehab. This situation leads to physiologi- To achieve this, we have established se-
mance, leading to reduced crop yields and cal adaptations such as closing stomata lection fields around the globe. These sup-
quality of harvests. to cope with this condition, resulting in a port the selection of the best-performing
Abiotic stress research at Rijk Zwaan slower growth rate, smaller leaf area and varieties under different climate and grow-
“Abiotic stress is one of the research ar- less chlorophyll. ing conditions. Additionally, together with
eas at Rijk Zwaan,” says Ehab Aboukheir, Ehab continues: “Subsequently, plants partners, Rijk Zwaan is introducing new
Team Leader Seed Technology Research. experience ionic stress due to the accumu- cultivation methods that use water more
“Developing a new variety takes between lation of ions, especially sodium and chlo- efficiently. These methods support grow-
ers in optimising their water usage and im-
six and 16 years on average, which is why ride, in the plant cells. This causes toxicity
we always need to think ahead.” Climate and disrupts cellular functions. Salts in the proving sustainability.
change is constantly making headlines, soil and water interfere with the uptake of Research and development
and in a growing number of regions there nutrients, causing a second wave of growth Research is at out core. We breed future-
is shortage of good quality water. That’s reduction and eventually necrosis.” proof varieties with genetic resistance to
why it is important to conduct research now Rijk Zwaan is conducting research to plant diseases, in anticipation of climate
to help us better understand how plants re- study how this stress affects plant growth, change and ever-changing market de-
act to more extreme conditions. development and yield. “By understand- mands. Circle 17 on enquiry card

More Efficient, Higher Quality Cantaloupe Harvest
e cannot stop all human error, but There are some key differences between
Wwhat if we could give you a tool that them, however.
mitigates it at harvest? Instead of looking “Unlike traditional long-shelf-life melons,
at less-than-reliable signs such as the can- these are a straw color when ready to har-
taloupe’s stem or other ripeness clues, we vest, showcase pleasant aromatics when
have created varieties that change color ripe, and don't slip,” Hamel said. “For grow-
when ready to harvest. ers and consumers alike, these are recog-
“We know that with previous long-shelf- nizable differences.”
life melons, there were challenges that IDEAL Melons with the harvest indicator
impacted not only growers, but consum- green when they first fruit, green when trait (left) showcase visible changes when
er’s perceptions of the fruit,” said Bernie they’re growing, and green when they ma- the fruit is ripe and show less green in the
Hamel, Value Added Chain Lead. “With ture,” said Rakesh Kumar, Breeding Team rind than traditional Harper Melons (right).
Syngenta Vegetable Seeds new IDEAL Lead for Melon Breeding. “Alternately IDE-
Melon varieties that feature the Harvest In- AL Melons with the Harvest Indicator trait These additional benefits come with no
dicator trait, we’re addressing those chal- start changing color two or three days be- unpleasant surprises, either.
lenges to create a melon that growers and fore maturity, to a straw color. They’re still “Syngenta, along with grower partners,
consumers will love.” long-shelf-life melons, the color change have performed post-harvest shelf life and
It’s easy to see in the field, speeding up ensures they’re at peak ripeness without transportation studies to make sure they’re
harvest and reducing time (and money!) being immature.” meeting needs throughout the value
spent on labor to pick the melons. Not only Understand the Harvest Indicator Differ- chain,” Kumar said. “IDEAL Melons with the
do you save time and money, but your cus- ence Harvest Indicator trait are the same or bet-
tomers can also shop with confidence be- Growers who plant IDEAL Melons with ter than other LSLs. In shipping and in stor-
cause the cantaloupe they buy at the store the harvest indicator trait don’t need to age, the melons maintained flesh firmness,
is at the peak of ripeness and has good fla- adjust their production practices. In every sugar level, and overall performed well.”
vor all the way to the rind. way but appearance at harvest, these inno- With its deep orange flesh color, excel-
IDEAL Melons with the Harvest Indicator vative new varieties grow identical to their lent post-harvest shelf life, and visible
trait are your ticket to an easier harvest and long-shelf-life (LSL) melon predecessors ripeness color change for consumers with
more satisfied customers throughout the while maintaining storage, transportation, pleasant aromatics, we won’t be the only
value chain. and availability attributes LSL melons re- ones excited about this innovation for long.
“Long-shelf-life cantaloupe melons are quire. Circle 18 on enquiry card
Vol. 41 No. 3 13