Climate change is intensifying abiotic stresses such as drought and heat, posing significant challenges for global agriculture. Finding affordable, natural solutions to boost crop resilience is more critical than ever. Iman Mirmazloum, a Senior Research Fellow at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is addressing these challenges through innovative research on biostimulants and their potential to enhance plant stress tolerance.
Mirmazloum’s work focuses on identifying and utilizing natural biostimulants—such as seaweed and algae extracts, nitric oxide, and mycorrhizal fungi—to activate crops’ innate resilience mechanisms. These compounds can help plants better withstand environmental stresses, ensuring food security in the face of climate change.
Implementing melatonin in a larger-scale agricultural system is still quite challenging because it’s an expensive compound. The idea is to find naturally based compounds—like algae or seaweed extracts—that are cheaper, more natural, and have less carbon footprint.
To advance his research, Mirmazloum accessed EMBRC’s state-of-the-art research infrastructure through AgroServ. Specifically, he utilized the Analysis of biomolecules and screening of key bioactivities service at the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research’s Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture (HCMR-IMBBC / EMBRC Greece). This enabled detailed study of active metabolites, supporting his investigation into the potential of biostimulants to enhance plant resilience.
With AgroServ, the process was straightforward. It’s researcher-based, which gives confidence. You can have an idea, identify a problem, and propose a solution. The openness and access to facilities and experts across Europe are amazing. It’s a significant growth opportunity to test new things and collaborate with the right people.
By identifying effective biostimulants and optimizing their application, Mirmazloum’s work contributes to sustainable agriculture and food security. His findings demonstrate how access to EMBRC’s integrated research infrastructures can accelerate the development of innovative, climate-resilient farming practices.
AgroServ
AgroServ aims to support research and innovation in the field of agriculture and a groecology. Through the provision of large, high profile research services to the scientific community, the project facilitates interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research whilst fostering open science and innovation.
