Researcher leads research topic at Frontiers in Plant Science

Contributing to knowledge presupposes research and dissemination of scientific works, as well as interaction with other research groups and a discussion of the main problems to be solved. It is precisely for this reason that the PhD Raul Sperotto, researcher and professor in the Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology (PPGBiotec) of the University of Vale do Taquari - Univates, in partnership with seven international researchers, is one of the editors of a special research topic of Frontiers in Plant Science (section Plant Microbe Interactions), one of the leading scientific journals of the plant area (Qualis A1 in Biotechnology and impact index 4,289).

According to Sperotto, who is already a regular editor of the journal in the Plant Nutrition section, the proposal for the research topic entitled "Plant responses to phytophagous mites/thrips and search for resistance" has emerged from the need to gather researches on the thematic since these types of herbivores are important pests in agriculture and pose a threat to crops of fruits, vegetables and cereals.

"In comparison to other herbivores, interactions between mites and thrips with their host plants have been neglected. At the same time, crop yield losses due to mite and thrips infestation are often reported, which might become even more common if we think of a future scenario of climate change. In this context, a better understanding of how plants defend themselves against these pests is essential for the development of resistance or tolerance", he argues.

Sperotto says that, according to the survey carried out by the publishing body of the edition, about 250 researchers around the world study this subject, and all were invited to participate in the topic by submitting articles. To date, 26 researchers of different nationalities (Brazil, Spain, USA, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, China, England, Italy and Poland) have already confirmed their participation. The submission of the complete articles ends on May 1, 2018. The set of articles will be available free of charge on the journal website and also as an e-book at the end of 2018.

Editors

In addition to professor Raul Sperotto, who coordinates the topic of research, are part of the group of editors: Merijn Kant - University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Vojislava Grbic - University of Western Ontario, Canada; Calum Wilson - University of Tasmania, Australia; Maria Pappas - Democritus University of Thrace, Greece; Maria Estrella Santamaria - Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain; Kirsten Leiss - University of Leiden, The Netherlands; and Yulin Gao - Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China.

Know more

Frontiers in Plant Science is a leading magazine in its field, publishing rigorously peer-reviewed research that advances understanding of plant, crop and ecosystem models, and translates research into new technological advances.

Thrips

Thrips (Thysanoptera) are small, narrow-bodied insects. They have two pairs of fringed wings and a sucking mouthpiece formed by three stylets (one mandible and two lacinia). Most are phytophagous, but these insects may also be myxophages or predators. There are many as phytophagous species that attack a wide variety of plants, mainly cultivated ones, by sucking the contents of plant cells. They usually live on leaves, shoots, flowers and under the bark of trees.

Source: http://www.agencia.cnptia.embrapa.br/gestor/tomate/arvore/CONT000fa2qor2s02wx5eo01xezlsdjerruk.html.

Text: Nicole Morás

Translation: Makeli Aldrovandi