Program and book of abstracts 1st conference

October 17 th – 20 th , 2022, Congress Centre of Slovak Academy of Sciences, Smolenice castle, Slovakia

Shen Wenbiao

Dr. Wenbiao Shen is a Professor of Nanjing agricultural University at Nanjing, China. His research interests include the molecular mechanisms underlying biological functions of plant gas signals (hydrogen, methane, etc.), and the practical application of molecular hydrogen in agriculture. The objectives are to promote yield of agricultural products and maintain their natural flavor, reduce the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and the reduction in the accumulation of heavy metals, and prolong the preservation of agricultural products, so as to provide people safe and healthy food. He has published about 140 papers with more than 5,000 times citations (H-index 45), and was elected as one of the Most Cited Chinese Researchers in the area of Agriculture and Biological Science by Elsevier consecutively for 8 years (2014-2021). He was rewarded in the 2018 Global Scientific Challenge hosted by Air Liquide R&D Co., Ltd. HYDROGEN AGRICULTURE: FROM FARM TO FORK Wenbiao Shen Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China E-mail: wbshenh@njau.edu.cn Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the universe. Scientists recently proposed that hydrogen gas (H 2 ) played a crucial role in the origin of eukaryotes. In the H 2 biogeochemical cycles, the most important source of atmospheric H 2 is photochemical oxidation reactions of methane. Meanwhile, ~80% of atmospheric H 2 is absorbed by the soil microbial-mediated process. The production and emission of H 2 has been observed in algae, animals, and especially in plants. Additionally, H 2 showed various biological functions in animals and plants. Thus, it is not surprising that H 2 has potential benefits for agriculture. In this presentation, I will review the botanical effects of H 2 , including promoting yield and quality of rice, improving the flavor of strawberry, reducing pesticide residues in plants, extending the shelf life of eggs, vegetables and fruits and vase life of cut flowers, etc. Also, the possible mechanisms of molecular hydrogen functioning in plants will be discussed. The prospects of hydrogen agriculture are proposed as well.

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