Exploring how how multiple combinations of abiotic stress affect tomato plants – Hortidaily

Report on Plant Stress Acclimation Research and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: Addressing Global Food Security and Climate Action

Global crop productivity is under significant threat from a combination of abiotic stress factors and unfavorable soil conditions resulting from human activity. This trend presents a direct challenge to the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to food security and environmental stability.

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Declining crop yields directly threaten global food supplies, jeopardizing efforts to end hunger and ensure food security.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Stress factors such as drought and heat are intensified by climate change, making agricultural adaptation a critical component of climate action.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The impact of contaminants like herbicides and microplastics highlights the need for more sustainable production patterns in agriculture.

2.0 Research Initiative on Multifactorial Plant Stress

A research team at the Universitat Jaume I of Castelló is investigating the complex effects of combined stress conditions on tomato plants. The study aims to provide foundational knowledge for developing more resilient crops, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural systems.

2.1 Research Objectives

1. To analyze how combinations of abiotic stresses affect the growth, survival, and metabolism of tomato plants.
2. To identify the specific physiological, hormonal, and molecular responses that are beneficial for plant acclimation.
3. To develop strategies for enhancing crop tolerance to the multifactorial stress conditions imposed by climate change.

3.0 Key Findings and Contributions to Sustainable Development

The research has yielded significant insights into plant response mechanisms, offering potential pathways to enhance crop resilience and advance global sustainability targets.

3.1 Identified Molecular and Biochemical Responses

• Metabolic Adjustments: The study confirmed that combined stresses significantly impact photosynthesis and growth. It also revealed complex roles for compounds like proline and the polyamine spermine in plant tolerance.
• Hormonal Regulation: The hormone jasmonic acid was identified as a key regulator in tomato acclimation to a combination of high light, salinity, and herbicide exposure.
• Genetic Pathways: Using a multi-omics approach, the team identified a specific molecular program activated by tomatoes in response to stress complexity. Over 190 common-response genes and other genes activated only under extreme conditions were discovered, suggesting a universal adaptation mechanism.

3.2 Advancing SDG 2 and SDG 13

These findings provide a scientific basis for developing crops with enhanced tolerance to environmental pressures. By identifying key genetic regulators and biochemical pathways, the research directly supports the targets of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by securing food production and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by providing tools for agricultural adaptation to extreme climate conditions.

4.0 International Collaboration for Global Goals (SDG 17)

The project exemplifies the importance of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through its active collaborations with international research institutions. This global partnership facilitates the sharing of critical data and accelerates progress toward creating resilient food systems worldwide.

• University of Missouri (USA): Collaboration to share results on multifactorial stress across different key crop species, including maize, soybean, and rice.
• Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (Germany): Partnership with a leading European group in plant metabolomics to deepen the understanding of plant responses.

5.0 Conclusion: Fostering Resilient Agriculture for a Sustainable Future

The research conducted by the Universitat Jaume I provides crucial insights for developing crops that can withstand the complex environmental challenges of the 21st century. This work is fundamental to building sustainable and resilient food systems, mitigating the agricultural impacts of climate change, and making substantive progress toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDGs 2, 12, 13, and 17.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • The article directly addresses food security by highlighting the threat of declining “crop productivity worldwide” due to environmental stressors. It explicitly states that if this trend continues, “food supplies could be severely reduced.” The research aims to counteract this by developing more resilient crops, which is fundamental to achieving zero hunger.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The research focuses on making crops more resilient to “the extreme conditions imposed by climate change.” The article lists abiotic stress factors such as “drought, heat, salinity or high light intensity,” which are all exacerbated by climate change. The study is a direct response to the need for adaptation to climate change impacts on agriculture.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • The article mentions the negative impact of “unfavorable soil conditions caused by human activity (herbicides, pH changes, or various contaminants such as microplastics)” on crop productivity. This connects to the goal of protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems and halting land degradation, as the research seeks solutions for crops to survive in these degraded environments.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article highlights international scientific collaboration as a key part of the research. It mentions “collaborations with the group led by Professor Ron Mittler at the University of Missouri (Columbia, USA)… and with Professor Alisdair Fernie at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Golm-Potsdam (Germany).” This demonstrates the importance of partnerships in advancing science and technology to address global challenges.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.4: “By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production… and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought…” The research directly supports this target by providing “new insights for developing crops that are more resilient to the extreme conditions imposed by climate change,” aiming to maintain and increase crop productivity.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The study’s focus on understanding how plants acclimate to combined stresses like “drought, heat, salinity” is a direct effort to build the adaptive capacity of agricultural systems, making them more resilient to climate-related hazards.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.3: “By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil…” While the research does not directly restore land, it addresses the consequences of land degradation by studying the impact of “unfavorable soil conditions caused by human activity (herbicides, pH changes, or various contaminants).” Developing crops that can tolerate these conditions is a strategy to mitigate the effects of soil degradation on food production.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.6: “Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing…” The article exemplifies this target by describing the collaboration between a Spanish university and institutions in the USA and Germany to “share results on multifactorial stress in different plant species.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

   • Crop Productivity: The article’s primary concern is the “decline in crop productivity worldwide.” Therefore, measuring the yield of the newly developed resilient tomato plants under stress conditions would be a direct indicator of progress.
   • Plant Resilience Markers: The study identifies specific biological markers for stress tolerance, such as the role of “spermine,” “jasmonic acid,” and “more than 190 genes that respond commonly.” The presence and expression of these markers in new crop varieties can be used as an indicator of their resilience.

2. Indicators for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Development of Climate-Resilient Crops: The main outcome of the research is to provide “new insights for developing crops that are more resilient.” The number of new, climate-resilient crop varieties developed and made available to farmers would be a key indicator of enhanced adaptive capacity.

3. Indicators for SDG 15 (Life on Land)

   • Crop Performance in Degraded Soil: An implied indicator is the ability of crops to grow and be productive despite “unfavorable soil conditions caused by human activity (herbicides, pH changes, or various contaminants).” Measuring the survival and yield rates of these crops in contaminated or degraded soils would indicate progress.

4. Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

   • Number of International Scientific Collaborations: The article explicitly mentions “collaborations with the group led by Professor Ron Mittler… and with Professor Alisdair Fernie,” providing a direct, measurable indicator of international cooperation.
   • Volume of Scientific Knowledge Shared: The article quantifies the dissemination of research findings, stating they “have been published in over 70 high-impact scientific journals” and “have received more than 12,000 citations.” These metrics are direct indicators of knowledge sharing and its impact.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hortidaily.com