The growth of food demand concurrent with the loss of fertile soil at world level inevitably demands an intensive but ecologically sustainable use of soils in agriculture. It is necessary to understand soil functions and vulnerability to promote plant growth....

The Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory works with topics related to the effect of salinity and drought using halophyte plants (resistant to salinity) as a model to find explanations at molecular level by studying desoxi-ribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), gene expression levels, and their regulation. The purpose is to know the molecular mechanisms caused by salinity and drought to be able to make genetic modifications to improve plants with commercial potential ...

Works in this line of research use microbes (beneficial soil bacteria), manure, plant residuals, humus, and organic matter in general, as well as rocks as mineral source to enhance plant growth and to improve biological, chemical, and physical properties of soil. We also try to understand the way these resources help in plant health and growth ...