Evaluation of Photosynthetic Efficiency as an Indicator of Stress in Andean Fruits and Vegetables Cultivated In Vitro (Phase II)

This project focuses on the comparative study of photosynthetic efficiency in Andean fruits and vegetables grown in vitro, addressing the impact of biotic and abiotic stress on their development. The study aims to optimize biotechnological and agronomic practices, utilizing the photochemical efficiency of Photosystem II (Fv/Fm) as a key stress indicator, as suggested by previous research on the effect of factors like temperature and culture medium composition (nitrogen and auxins). The methodology involves a complete in vitro propagation cycle: introduction, multiplication, rooting, and substrate adaptation in micro-greenhouses. During each phase, Photosystem II (PS II) activity will be measured using a portable chlorophyll fluorometer (Model Os30p+). These measurements will allow for the establishment of photosynthetic efficiency curves relative to the treatments applied at each stage of tissue culture, providing valuable insights for the agricultural management of these Andean crops.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>The main objective of this project is to conduct a comparative study of photosynthetic efficiency in Andean fruits and vegetables, evaluating their performance under in vitro culture conditions across the different propagation phases.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Biodiversity and genetic resources