In view of the challenges posed by climate change on future weather patterns, crops are subjected to more intense and frequent heat and water stress. During her PhD studies, Nagashree Akula Nageshbabu studied the intricate physiological and biochemical responses of plants to increased severities and frequencies of combined heat and water deficit stress. Furthermore, the interactive effects heat and water deficit stress were studied in both old and modern wheat genotypes at various developmental stages showing different responses.

The new research findings enhance our understanding of how both modern and old wheat genotypes respond to and develop adaptive mechanisms for recurring heat and water deficit stresses, facilitating the identification of resilient wheat varieties.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Food Science, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Thursday, 10 April 2025 at 10:00
Place: Building 26, room 33 Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Agro Food Park 26, 8200 Aarhus N.
Title of PhD thesis: Adaptive responses of diverse wheat genotypes to intensifying heat and water deficit stress
Contact information: Nagashree Akula Nageshbabu, e-mail: nan@food.au.dk, tel.: +45 91837917
Members of the assessment committee:
Dr. Fabio Fiorani, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG2: Plant Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany.
Professor, Erik Murchie, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Professor, Marianne Hammershøj (chair), Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Main supervisor:
Professor, Carl-Otto Ottosen, Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Co-supervisor:
Associate Professor, Eva Rosenqvist, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.

The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.