Plant Physiology Team

Head

Staff

Assoc. Prof. Izabela Pawłowicz
Assoc. Prof. Danuta Babula-Skowrońska

Joanna Majka, PhD
Dawid Perlikowski, PhD
Włodzimierz Zwierzykowski, Msc Eng.

Natalia Żyła, MSc (PhD student)

Adrianna S. Czapiewska, MSc Eng. (PhD student)

Julia Górna, MSc (PhD student)

The research is focused on the forage grasses from the Lolium-Festuca complex. Lolium and Festuca species encompasses numerous complementary traits. L. multiflorum (Italian ryegrass) and L. perenne (perennial ryegrass) are the species with a high forage quality but rather low tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Otherwise, F. pratensis (meadow fescue) and F. arundinacea (tall fescue) are characterized by a high level of resistance to pathogens (e.g. Microdochium nivale), winter-hardiness, and tolerance to frost, drought and salinity but they cannot compete with Lolium species with reference to productivity and quality in comfortable environmental conditions. Both Festuca species and their amphiploid and introgression hybrids with Lolium species are regarded as models among forage grasses for the research associated with mechanisms of tolerance to environmental stresses, mainly - drought (F. arundinacea) and low temperature (F. pratensis). These plant materials are also extremely interesting objects for cytogenetic studies focused on plant chromosome organization and evolution.

In parallel, the analysis on gene interaction network associated with the activity of ABI1 protein phosphatase in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus var. oleifera) under environmental stress conditions, is performed. ABI1 protein phosphatase (group A PP2C) is a central negative regulator of the ABA-mediated signaling pathway and it is involved in a reversible phosphorylation of many proteins. The involvement of ABI1 in a control of transcription factor HB6-dependent gene network under salt and drought stresses, is analyzed.

Research profile

Molecular basis of plant tolerance to abiotic stresses (low temperature, drought, and salinity) and resistance to pathogens,
Organization and evolution of plant chromosome- and genome-specific sequences,
Transfer of genes for environmental stress tolerance from Festuca species into Lolium species,
Molecular and physiological mechanisms of stress response plasticity in poliploid species.

Methods

analysis of gene expression at transcript (real time RT-PCR ) and protein level (2-D electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and Western blot),
analysis of root system architecture under water deficit conditions,
physiological analyses (WC, RWC, electrolyte leakage, gas exchange parameters, and chlorophyll fluorescence),
analysis of cellular antioxidant system efficiency under environmental stresses,
tests for plant tolerance to low temperature and drought in natural and simulated conditions,
fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH),
analysis of primary metabolites and lipids accumulation,
analysis of protein-protein interactions (yeast two-hybrid system, pull-down, BiFC),
generation of transgenic plants with gene over-expression and gene modified functions using CRISPR/Cas9 system.

Selected papers

Perlikowski D., Skirycz A., Marczak Ł., Lechowicz K., Augustyniak A., Michäelis A., Kosmala A. (2022). Metabolism of crown tissue is crucial for drought tolerance and recovery after stress cessation in Lolium/Festuca forage grasses. Journal of Experimental Botany, erac398. DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac398
Perlikowski D., Lechowicz K., Pawłowicz I., Arasimowicz-Jelonek M., Kosmala A. (2022). Scavenging of nitric oxide up-regulates photosynthesis under drought in Festuca arundinacea and F. glaucescens but reduces their drought tolerance. Scientific Reports, 12: 6500 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10299-5
Perlikowski D., Lechowicz K., Skirycz A., Michaelis A., Pawłowicz I., Kosmala A. (2022). The role of triacylglycerol in the protection of cells against lipotoxicity under drought in Lolium multiflorum/Festuca arundinacea introgression form. Plant and Cell Physiology, 63: 353-368 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcac003

Perlikowski D., Augustyniak A., Skirycz A., Pawłowicz I., Masajada K., Michaelis Ä., Kosmala A. (2020). Efficient root metabolism improves drought resistance of Festuca arundinacea. Plant and Cell Physiology, 61: 492-504 DOI:10.1093/pcp/pcz215

Research projects

Project no: MR-17
Project title: Mechanisms of resistance to abiotic and biotic environmental stresses in the introgression forms of Italian ryegrass and perennial ryegrass with the genes of meadow fescue and tall fescue
Project leader: A. Kosmala

TYPE: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Biological progress

Duration: 1^st January 2020 – 31^st December 2026

Project no: 2020/39/B/NZ9/02488
Project title: Profiling of lipocalin family and determination of their role in photosynthetic protection against oxidative damage in Festuca glaucescens
Project leader I. Pawłowicz
TYPE: OPUS
Duration: 2^nd July 2021 – 1^st July 2025

Project no: 2021/41/B/NZ9/00782
Project title: Comprehensive analysis of frost tolerance mechanisms in the sequence of cold acclimation, de-acclimation and re-acclimation processes in forage grasses
Project leader D. Perlikowski
TYPE: OPUS
Duration: 1^st June 2022 – 31^st May 2026