Ecophysiology studies assessing the physiological response of terrestrial and aquatic plants exposed to stress conditions using nondestructive techniques are conducted in the laboratory.
- Research activities include:
- the assessment of photosynthetic performance through the measurement and analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence imaging and leaf-level gas exchange measurements;
the determination of spectral indices of vegetation through spectroradiometric surveys to assess the physiological state of these organisms;
the evaluation of the toxicity of certain pollutants on certain plant species through the use of ecotoxicological tests.
Relevant instrumentation
- Image analysis fluorometers for measurement of chlorophyll “a” fluorescence emission (MAXI-IMAGING-PAM, MINI-IMAGING-PAM Walz, Germany)
- Portable fluorometer for the study of fast fluorescence kinetics (PAR-FluorPen FP 110, Photon Systems Instruments, Drásov, Czech Republic)
- Portable measurement systems for estimating pigment content (SPAD-502, Minolta Camera Co., Osaka, Japan; Dualex Scientific+TM, Force-A, France)
- Spectroradiometer ASD FieldSpec-3 and Field Spec-4 (Analytical Spectral Devices Inc., Colorado, USA) for measurement of foliar reflectance in the visible and near-infrared for assessment of plant physiological status
- Leaf-level gas exchange measurement system (HCM 1000, Walz, Germany) to assess photosynthetic activity
- The Eco-Tox Photo System Tool (ETPT) measures the physiological status (growth and photosynthetic performance) in aquatic plants (water lentil) in a non-destructive, real-time manner. ETPT makes it possible to detect early, when not yet visible, symptoms of toxicity occurring in leaves at the level of photosynthetic efficiency and to follow on the same plant material the time course of these effects
| Chief Scientific Officer | Fabrizio Pietrini |
|---|---|
| Team | |
| Contacts | E-mail: fabrizio.pietrini@cnr.it |