I work on abiotic stress in plants. My main research interest is cold hardiness, which is a key factor in successful performance of perennial plants in temperate climates. The research is mainly focusing on physiological changes associated with development of cold hardiness (cold acclimation) and loss of cold hardiness (deacclimation).

I primarily work on woody perennials in which cold hardiness is a seasonal process. In autumn plants cold acclimate, whereby they become increasingly tolerant to subzero temperatures. Maximum hardiness is reached midwinter, and in spring plants loose acclimated cold hardiness by deacclimation. My PhD dissertation entitled Stress tolerance and hardiness of woody perennials focused on cold acclimation including associated alterations in plant-water status, carbohydrate metabolism, protein content and composition and hormonal regulation of cold acclimation. A smaller part of the dissertation additionally focused on whether drought stress can be used as a mean to increase cold hardiness, since water deficit induces several responses similar to responses observed in cold acclimating plants.

My post doc project entitled Deacclimation kinetics and mechanisms in woody perennials under increasing temperature instability is focusing on the timing and the rate of deacclimation in woody perennials and the underlying physiological responses. Although temperate winters are becoming progressively milder due to global climate changes, temperature patterns are becoming increasingly irregular with many warm spells. Alternating warm and freezing weather can endanger vegetation, as warm conditions may cause premature deacclimation, increasing the risk of subsequent freezing injury. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms behind loss of plant cold hardiness is important to ensure the sustainability of food and plant sources under changing climatic conditions.

Projects

Deacclimation kinetics and mechanisms in woody perennials under increasing temperature instability (1. January 2009 – 30. June 2011)

Ornamentals with increased chilling tolerance and energy efficiency (1 January 2009 – 31 December 2012, lead by Karen Koefoed Petersen)