Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran

Most of the studies in the molecular physiology department at the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran have been directed to the study of abiotic stresses in crop plants during recent years. Climate change and the prediction of water crises, erosion, drought, heat, and salinity are developing in most of the agricultural lands of Iran. This problem has caused yield decreases in crops, pastures, and other lands for cultivation. Therefore, the use of climate-adapted plants in stressed areas to stabilize performance and establish the value chain, emphasizing the use of native plants adapted to climate change conditions, such as safflower, peas, and perennial forage and pasture grasses for livestock feed. On the other hand, the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran has established extensive cooperation in the field of molecular modification of wheat and barley strategic plants for food use to increase tolerance to drought and heat with Dryland Agricultural Research Institute (DARI) and Seed and Plant Improvement Institutes (SPII). Determining strategic crops tolerant to drought and heat stress for climate change conditions with methods based on molecular physiology as suitable parents for breeding programs, production of dry fodder and safflower, production of grasses and pastures of perennial cold climates as low water winter fodder plants for the northern regions of the country, it is one of the most important research priorities of this megaproject.