The INCT PlantStress Biotech is a pioneering initiative at the forefront of biotechnology, committed to developing groundbreaking solutions that significantly enhance crop resilience to environmental stresses, including drought, salinity, pests, and extreme temperatures. By harnessing the vast biodiversity of Brazil, the project isolates innovative biotechnological assets to generate biotech products that combat pests (via in planta and topical applications), improve drought tolerance, reducing dependence on chemical inputs, and driving sustainable and high-impact practices in Brazilian agriculture. Supporting Brazil’s vital role as a leading global food exporter, the actions of the INCT foster innovation in genetically modified and gene-edited crops, diversifies the agricultural biotech market, and bolster the country’s scientific and technological leadership. Ultimately, INCT is transforming Brazilian agriculture, safeguarding food security, conserving resources, and cementing Brazil’s position as a global leader in cutting-edge agricultural technology.
At the International Congress of the Brazilian Genetics Society – Genetica 2025, held in Belém, Pará, from August 13 to 16, 2025, the INCT PlantStress Biotech team led a dynamic session titled “Strategies for Mitigating Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Agriculture.” This influential session showcased three pioneering studies: 1- "Unraveling the molecular and physiological memory responses of the Setaria viridis root system to climate changes," by researcher Marcio Alves Ferreira (UFRJ-RJ); 2- "Molecular and physiological responses to water stress in rice: searching for a resilient crop," by researcher Antonio Costa de Oliveira (UFPEL-RS); and 3- "Innovations in nanoformulations for enhanced RNAi-based insect pest control: overcoming challenges and improving efficacy," by researcher Maria Fátima Grossi de Sa (Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília-DF).
Through innovative biotechnology and collaborative efforts, INCT PlantStress Biotech is paving the way for a sustainable, resilient, and globally competitive future for Brazilian agriculture.
