PLANT PHISIOLOGY: BROMELIAD CONSERVATION, STRESS SIGNALING, AND POSTHARVEST INNOVATION



PLANT PHISIOLOGY: BROMELIAD CONSERVATION, STRESS SIGNALING, AND POSTHARVEST INNOVATION
978-65-5360-838-2

2025
202
9
1
1
Samuel Giovanny García-Castaño
García-Castaño, Samuel Giovanny
Luis Eliécer Oviedo Zumaque
Zumaque, Luis Eliécer Oviedo
Ana Milena Vásquez-Bettin
Vásquez-Bettin, Ana Milena
Marvin José Perneth-Montaño
Perneth-Montaño, Marvin José
Andrés José Betin Ruiz
Ruiz, Andrés José Betin
Marcelo F. Pompelli
Pompelli, Marcelo F.
Miguel P. Guerra
Guerra, Miguel P.
Plant physiology is a dynamic and fundamental field for understanding the internal functioning of plants, their interactions with the environment, and their adaptive capacity in the face of diverse challenges. It is both a foundational and an applied science, whose advances are essential for the conservation of native species, the management of agricultural crops, the mitigation of abiotic stresses, and the reduction of losses along the production chain. In this context, the present book – PLANT PHYSIOLOGY: Bromeliad Conservation, Stress Signaling, and Postharvest Innovation – brings together a series of applied studies that clearly illustrate the breadth and depth of plant physiology’s contributions to solving real-world problems, both in natural environments and productive systems. The opening chapters focus on the conservation of endangered bromeliads, particularly Dyckia distachya and Dyckia encholirioides, endemic species of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The destruction of their natural habitat, exacerbated by large infrastructure projects such as hydroelectric dams, underscores the urgency of implementing ex situ conservation strategies. The studies presented herein demonstrate how seed germination under different environmental conditions (temperature, light, salinity, sulfuric acid, and gibberellic acid) can be modulated by physiological factors, and how in vitro cultivation, combined with the use of growth regulators, enables the multiplication and preservation of these species’ genetic resources. Micropropagation using seeds and tissues, with protocols based on MS media supplemented with specific phytohormones, highlights the role of physiological technologies in rescuing and maintaining threatened plant populations. The book also thoughtfully explores issues related to water use and management in agriculture. In a global scenario of increasing water scarcity and intensifying climate change, the rational use of water resources becomes imperative. One chapter addresses the availability of freshwater worldwide, emphasizing the role of agriculture in global water demand and discussing the benefits and risks associated with the use of treated wastewater for irrigation. Water reuse practices are analyzed from both physiological and environmental perspectives, considering their effects on soil, plants, and biogeochemical cycles. In addition, hands-on experiments are proposed to help visualize physiological phenomena such as xylem transport and osmotic potential, contributing to the formation of students with a critical and applied understanding of plant water physiology. Among the plant defense mechanisms against abiotic stresses, the use of amino acids as mitigating agents for salinity damage stands out. One chapter is dedicated to the foliar application of proline in maize plants under salt stress, presenting consistent results regarding its effects on growth, ion composition, and membrane stability. The osmoprotective role of proline, combined with its ability to act as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species, reveals its potential as a complementary tool in improving salt stress tolerance, particularly within plant breeding programs focused on developing more resilient cultivars. Subsequently, the book addresses postharvest physiological processes in fruits and vegetables, a topic of great relevance to food security and the sustainability of production systems. Aspects such as respiration, ethylene production, water loss, and biochemical changes occurring after harvest are discussed alongside strategies for their control. Techniques such as refrigeration, modified atmospheres, edible coatings, and the use of visual indicators are addressed with technical rigor, illustrating how physiological knowledge can be applied to extend shelf life, reduce waste, and preserve nutritional quality. A chapter dedicated to the drying of pequi (Caryocar spp.) is particularly noteworthy, as it bridges postharvest conservation concepts with the valorization of native species from the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, with promising potential for incorporation into functional food and phytotherapeutic markets. Finally, the book concludes with practical activities designed for teaching plant physiology, including experiments that enhance understanding of water transport and balance in plants. These hands-on approaches not only enrich academic training but also stimulate students’ interest in the critical importance of physiological processes for plant life and ecosystem sustainability. This work reflects the effective contribution of plant physiology to biodiversity conservation, technological advancement in agriculture, and the response to global change challenges. By integrating basic and applied science, the book offers readers a broad and critical perspective on the physiological mechanisms that govern plant life. It is, therefore, an essential read for plant physiologists, agronomists, biologists, environmental engineers, students, and professionals engaged in plant science and agricultural production. Toshik Iarley da Silva is an Agronomist, holds a DSc. in Crop Science from the Federal University of Viçosa, and is an Assistant Professor at the Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia. His research focuses on plant physiology applied to abiotic stress mitigation, protected cultivation, edible flowers, and postharvest physiology of vegetables and fruits.
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