Light signals in plant responses to canopy density

CASAL, JORGE JOSÉ

Jaboticabal

Simposio; 1st INTERNATIONAL PLANT PRODUCTION SYMPOSIUM; 2016

UNESP

In agricultural crops, plants are grown at high densities. As a result of this, yield per plant is reduced when compared to that observed in plants grown at low densities. To some extent this is due to the fact that each plant has to share the available resources with an increased number of neighbours per unit soil area. However, the focus of our research is on the impact of shade signals perceived by specific plant photo-sensory receptors. These receptors are connected by means of complex signaling networks to the control of plant growth and development. Therefore, plant yield is also affected by the changes in the status of these receptors caused by different intensities of mutual plant shading. We will describe the current understanding of the mechanisms of perception of canopy light signals, the dynamics of the downstream signaling network in response to the natural fluctuation of these signals, and the pathways through which they affect yield.