AgroServ Connect webinar series #4: Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 
- How new natural boosters and real‑world wheat trials reveal what helps plants cope with heat and dry spells.

Farmers everywhere are feeling the squeeze of hotter summers and patchy rainfall, and the stakes are rising for our food supply. This webinar explores practical ways to help plants “keep calm and carry on” when the weather turns against them—from gentle, natural boosters that help crops use nutrients better, to smart field trials that show which wheat types bounce back fastest after dry spells. Join us to discover the impact of agroecological research: what’s working now and what’s coming next to protect harvests in a changing climate.

How can we secure yields as heat and drought intensify? 

Two AgroServ TA/VA users share complementary, real‑world solutions. Iman Mirmazloum is testing new, nature‑derived biostimulants—including options from marine sources—and beneficial microbes to help sensitive horticultural crops handle stress, use nitrogen more efficiently, and activate helpful plant signals like nitric oxide, supported by advanced imaging and plant phenotyping. Valentina Spanic is running controlled drought trials in winter wheat using automated rainout shelters, weekly drone monitoring, and in‑depth metabolomics on leaves and roots across key growth stages to pinpoint when and how plants mount effective responses. 

Their work connects simple on‑farm tools with cutting‑edge science, offering actionable insights for more resilient fruits, vegetables, and cereals. 

+ REGISTRATION LINK: https://bit.ly/AgroServConnect4 +

Join our discussion with: 

• Iman Mirmazloum, Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Plant Physiology and Plant Ecology at the Institute of Agronomy of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Iman is one of the first researchers who applied to the AgroServ open calls and he and his team are now moving forward toward the completion of their project titled: "Utilizing Biostimulants to enhance the productivity of Sensitive Horticultural Crops performance under Abiotic Stress Conditions". 
   
• Valentina Spanic, Researcher in the Department for Breeding & Genetics of Small Cereal Crops at the Agricultural Institute Osijek. Valentina applied to AgroServ in its second call for project proposals, with the project: "Drought Stress in Winter Wheat: Unfolding the Challenges".
   
• Dr Heba Ibrahim, AgroServ's Central Access Manager, will join the discussion to address any question related to the currently open 4th Transnational/Virtual Access Call for research projects from AgroServ.

Through these webinars, AgroServ aims not only to showcase the services available from the consortium but also to open new research avenues that could advance innovation in agroecological research.

Researchers, practitioners, and industry experts interested in advancing sustainable agriculture are encouraged to apply to AgroServ's 4th call for projects. This opportunity provides free access to our comprehensive Catalogue of over 140 research services, enabling innovative cross-disciplinary research that combines different approaches and expertise. By bringing together diverse research infrastructures and methodologies, AgroServ supports groundbreaking projects that can shape the future of agroecological practices.