Elisa Pellegrini PhD

My research interest focuses on plant-soil interactions in flooded environment. I do research in Environmental Science, Soil Science and Plant Biology. 

My recent research focuses on the development of a root barrier against radial oxygen loss (ROL), a common trait of flood tolerant plants, and on consequences of having or not the barrier. Moreover, I study the formation of iron plaques formed due to ROL on root surfaces of wetland plants.

Why studying the ROL barrier ?

The root ROL barrier enhances oxygen diffusion from shoots to root tips. But the inability to form the barrier is not always a disadvantage. Iron plaques forming due to ROL on root surfaces could represent a potential great acclimation against soil anoxia as well. 

Both ROL and ROL barrier have potential secondary roles in limiting sulfide intrusion and therefore toxicity, due to sulfide oxidation inside or outside plant tissues.