Innovative multi-scale approach to study the phenotypic variation of seedling leaves in four weedy Amaranthus species.

Plant phenotyping on morpho-anatomical traits through image analysis, from microscope images to large-scale acquisitions through remote sensing, represents a low-invasive tool providing insight into physiological and structural trait variation, as well as plant-environment interactions. High phenotype diversity in the genus Amaranthus includes annual weed species with high invasiveness and impact on important summer crops, and nutritive grain or vegetable crops. Identification of morpho-anatomical leaf characters at very young stages across weedy amaranths could be useful for better understanding their performance in agroecosystems.

Dissecting postharvest chilling injuries in pome and stone fruit through integrated omics.

Lowering the storage temperature is an effective method to extend the postharvest and shelf life of fruits. Nevertheless, this technique often leads to physiological disorders, commonly known as chilling injuries. Apples and pears are susceptible to chilling injuries, among which superficial scald is the most economically relevant.

Epigenetic Control of Plant Response to Heavy Metals.

Plants are sessile organisms that must adapt to environmental conditions, such as soil characteristics, by adjusting their development during their entire life cycle. In case of low-distance seed dispersal, the new generations are challenged with the same abiotic stress encountered by the parents. Epigenetic modification is an effective option that allows plants to face an environmental constraint and to share the same adaptative strategy with their progeny through transgenerational inheritance.