The Plant Physiology research group focuses on the adaptation of plants to ionic stress and its interaction with other biotic and abiotic factors. The current changes in soils and climates are decisive factors for the continuous evolution of local adaptation mechanisms in plants and it is important to characterize these mechanisms both at the genetic-molecular level and at the physiological level in the plant. Our main objective is to gain an in-depth understanding of
these mechanisms in natural populations of Arabidopsis thaliana and other Brassicaceae in saline and carbonated soils, against metal deficiencies and toxicities, also considering the soil microbiome. We are working on phenotyping both in the natural habitat and in reciprocal transplant experiments, as well as genotyping of contrasting populations in combination with physiological studies under controlled conditions. International collaboration and the training of graduates and postgraduates are a priority for the group.

Roser Tolrà Pérez