Scientists from CPSBB, BioAtlantis Ltd. (Ireland), and Bio Insumos Nativa (Chile) held an online workshop with eight lectures, dedicated to the recent developments in the molecular mechanisms of biostimulants and their role in mitigating the effects of climate change.
There were applicants from all continents, except Australia (India – 20 subscriptions, Bulgaria (12), Pakistan (8), Ireland (8), Germany (7), Mexico (7), Brazil (6), Nigeria (6), and South Africa (5).
The workshop was moderated by CPSBB’s Head of “Funding” Department – Dr. Vesselin Petrov.
Lecture topics and speakers:
- “From planting to harvest: New ‘Priming’ technologies to mitigate abiotic stress and help crops reach their genetic potential”
John T. O’Sullivan, CEO, BioAtlantis Ltd, Ireland.
The CEO of BioAtlantis Ltd. John T. O’Sullivan presented different products of the company for increasing the crop yield, reducing the oxidative stress, and improving soil microbial activity, as well as plant cell division, fruit set, fruit size, tolerance to abiotic stresses, etc.
He provided details on the effects of the flagship product SuperFifty Prime (SFP), based on an extract of the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum. Moreover, he emphasized the fruitful cooperation between CPSBB and BioAtlantis Ltd. in unravelling the molecular mechanisms of action of seaweed extracts.
- “Current insights into the molecular mode of action of an Ascophyllum nodosum based biostimulant”
Dr. Sujeeth Neerakkal, PhD, Head of Plant Research, BioAtlantis Ltd, Ireland.
Dr. Sujeeth Neerakkal, Head of Plant Research at BioAtlantis Ltd., revealed that pre-treated or primed plants with SuperFifty Prime keep the memory of the priming treatment at the DNA level.
During subsequent stress exposure, primed plants upregulate protective genes and metabolites and gain faster and more robust stress adaptation responses. He also provided an in-depth insight into the molecular mode of action of the biostimulant. Dr. Neerakkal described the oxidative stress inhibition process known as “molecular priming” induced by SFP in a broad range of crop species.
- “Alleviation of heat-stress effects on tomato by seaweed extract application”
Mihail Angelov, Biologist, CPSBB, Bulgaria.
Mihail Angelov, Plant Biologist at CPSBB, presented a profound molecular analysis about the alleviation of heat-stress effects on tomatoes by seaweed extract application. The conclusions from the research confirmed that the biostimulant SuperFifty Prime is effective in mitigating heat stress. It also improves significantly important agricultural parameters and modulates some key metabolites involved in abiotic stress tolerance.
- “SuperFifty® Prime based molecular priming reduces flood stress induced damage in Barley”
Dr. Fiaz Rasul, Plant Biologist, BioAtlantis Ltd, Ireland.
Dr. Fiaz Rasul, plant biologist from BioAtlantis Ltd., presented data demonstrating that the biostimulant SFP also reduces flood stress-induced damage in barley. He first summarized the oxidative stress issues attached with flood stress in barley which results in poor grain fill percentage, reduced embryo growth, all leading to lower grain quality and yield.
In the experiment, SFP was applied as a priming application prior to stress, followed by a second application at the flood stress recovery stage. Grain fill percentage, spike length, grain weight and yield parameters were significantly improved in SF treated barley plants.
- “Experimental design and bioinformatics analysis of biostimulant crop studies”
Dr. Rafe Lyall, Postdoctoral Researcher in Bioinformatics, CPSBB.
Dr. Rafe Lyall, a Postdoctoral Researcher at CPSBB, outlined the important steps and measures that need to be taken while assessing the complex-omics datasets emerging from planned biostimulant-based studies undertaken at the molecular level. His lecture was highly informative for researchers involved in systems-level analysis and those who are involved in bioinformatics analysis to interpret biostimulant effects at the molecular level.
Dr. Lyall highlighted the importance of having enough biological replicates to get meaningful sequence alignment and bioinformatics data was elaborated. Consistency in in-house trial variables such as light, humidity, etc., and field level trial variables, such as weather tracking and soil differences, while performing the experiments, were also highlighted.
Dr. Lyall outlined also that the experiment design requires appropriate age-linked controls while sampling for -omics data sets. He further described the different steps involved in RNA-seq sample preparation, quality control, sequencing, mapping, differential testing, and methods for downstream bioinformatics analysis. Data interpretation using bioinformatics GO-enrichment tools, pathway/KO enrichment, identification of hub genes and gene family enrichment were described.
- “SuperFifty Prime (SPF) combats drought stress in tomato plants (cv. Micro-Tom)”
Dr. Aakansha Kanojia, Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular Biology, CPSBB.
Dr. Kanojia initiated her talk highlighting the importance of oxidative stress issues that are associated with crop losses worldwide. She explained how she performed SuperFifty Prime experiments, applying the product at the critical timings spanning the flower bud emergence and at bloom stage to protect tomato plants from drought stress occurring at the fruit-set stage.
The results of her research clearly demonstrated the stress protection effect of SFP, rendering the plants tolerant to oxidative stress, thus improving fruit-set, size and yield in moderate and severe drought conditions. Her experiments also showed that SFP improves fruit production traits in a non-stressed condition, which demonstrates the biostimulatory effect, induced by this extract in crops. Dr. Kanojia then showed results from her multi-omics research.
- “Field level applications of biostimulants for reducing oxidative stress and increas-ing crop production”
Andrés Bascopé, Chief Agronomist, BioAtlantis ltd, Ireland.
Andrés Bascopé, Chief Agronomist at BioAtlantis Ltd., presented field data on SuperFifty Prime in a broad range of crops (tomato, avocado, almonds, walnuts, cherries, and wine grapes), proving the improved fruit set and yield even in adverse weather conditions.
- “Use of microorganisms in agricultural soil as a way to fight back global warming”
Eduardo Donoso, R&D Director, Bio Insumos Nativa, Chile.
Eduardo Donoso, R&D Director at Bio Insumos Nativa, Chile, concluded the workshop with a presentation on the application of microorganisms in agricultural soil. He provided phenotypic and physiological data from crop trials, showing improved root morphology and crop development.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Screenshot from Mr. O’Sullivan’s presentation “From planting to harvest: New ‘Priming’ technologies to mitigate abiotic stress and help crops reach their genetic potential” | Screenshot from Dr. Neerakkal’s presentation “Current insights into the molecular mode of action of an Ascophyllum nodosum based biostimulant”. |
Screenshot from Mr. Angelov’s presentation “Alleviation of heat-stress effects on tomato by seaweed extract application” | Screenshot from Dr. Rasul’s presentation “SuperFifty® Prime based molecular priming reduces flood stress induced damage in Barley”. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Screenshot from Dr. Kanojia’s presentation “SuperFifty Prime (SPF) combats drought stress in tomato plants (cv. Micro-Tom)” |
Screenshot from Dr. Lyall’s presentation “Experimental design and bioinformatics analysis of biostimulant crop studies”. | Screenshot from Mr. Bascopé’s presentation “Field level applications of biostimulants for reducing oxidative stress and increas-ing crop production”. | Screenshot from Mr. Donoso’s presentation “Use of microorganisms in agricultural soil as a way to fight back global warming”. |