Recognizing Plant Physiology first authors: Shubhpriya Gupta

Shubhpriya Gupta, first author of Role of smoke stimulatory and inhibitory biomolecules in phytochrome-regulated seed germination of Lactuca sativa

Current Position: Post-Doctoral Researcher in the group of Prof. Johannes Van Staden, Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Education: M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Botany with Dr. Preeti Chaturvedi at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India

Non-scientific interests: photography, running, reading, travelling

Brief-Bio:  After completing my Ph.D. in 2015, I worked as an Assistant Professor in India. I joined the Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, South Africa in 2018. Here, my interest grew immensely in biomolecules (karrikinolide-1 and trimethylbutenolide) from wildfire smoke and their role in phytochrome-mediated germination of ‘Grand Rapids’ lettuce seeds.  For this, I evaluated the physiological mechanism by which these biomolecules regulate germination in photosensitive ‘Grand Rapids’ lettuce seeds by quantifying phytohormones and food reserves in dark, red and far-red light. In future, I aim to discover the molecular mode of action of these biomolecules in promoting germination of photosensitive lettuce seeds.

“What it is that triggers my seeds to wake up from their smoky dreams? I do want to know because it will be useful to sustain, support and stimulate plant growth!”- Shubhpriya Gupta