Francisco Pérez-Alfocea

Francisco Pérez-Alfocea is a Research Professor and head of the Plant Hormones group at the Department of Plant Nutrition of CEBAS-CSIC in Murcia, Spain. His research focuses on genetic variability in Solanum species for developing rootstocks that enhance yield stability under abiotic stresses (salinity, drought, nutrient deficiencies) and improve crop sustainability through resource efficiency. His work explores root system architecture, hormonal communication mechanisms, and recently, insect pollinators as natural phenotypers for plant fitness.

He has held leadership roles including Chair of the ISHS Working Group on Vegetable Grafting and Vice-Chair of the ISHS Division on Vegetables, Roots and Tubers. He coordinated major EU projects ROOTOPOWER (#289365) and DARkWIN (#101098680) focused on root-targeted stress mitigation and pollinator-assisted breeding.