Staff

EDUCATION, ACADEMIC DEGREES AND TITLES

1977-1982 study at the Faculty of Agronomy, Agricultural University (now University of Agriculture) in Kraków (FA AUK); semestral training in Switzerland

1982 master and engineer's degree in agricultural sciences, plant physiology at FA AUK

1992 doctor's degree in agricultural sciences, agronomics-plant physiology at FA AUK

2005 habilitation in the field of agricultural sciences, agronomics-plant physiology at FA AUK

2019 professor's title in agricultural sciences

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1982-1992 research assistant and senior research assistant at the Department (now Institute) of Plant Physiology, Polish Academy of Sciences in Kraków (IPP PAS)

1988-1990 holder of DAAD fellowship at the Institute of General Botany (now Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology), University of Hamburg, Germany

1992-2006 adiunkt at IPP PAS

2006-2010 docent at IPP PAS

2010-2019 associate professor at IPP PAS

since 2019 professor at IPP PAS

MEMBERSHIPS AND FUNCTIONS

Member of Scientific Council of IPP PAS (since 2006)

Head of Department of Ecophysiology in IPP PAS (2011-2020)

Deputy Director for Scientific Research of IPP PAS (2012-2020)

Director of IPP PAS (2021-2024)

RESEARCH AREAS

Stress physiology of plants – root to shoot communication, hormonal balance (abscisic acid (ABA), cytokinins, ethylene, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC, ethylene's precursor), water relations, photosynthetic efficiency and stomata status under low temperature (chilling, frost), drought and flooding stress conditions in various crop plants, especially maize, tomato, oil rape, and sorghum

Water use efficiency in plants – physiological grounds for improved water use efficiency by crop plants under common and alternating deficit watering

Abscisic acid (ABA) – role of ABA in plant reactions to abiotic and biotic stresses as well as in regulation of ability of cells and tissues to regenerate plants in vitro

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Keywords of the research areas: abiotic stress • abscisic acid (ABA) • biotic stress • chilling • chlorophyll a fluorescence • deficit irrigation • DPPH radical scavenging method • drought • ELISA for ABA • flooding • frost • hormonal balance • low temperature • low-molecular antioxidants • maize (Zea mays L.) • oil rape (Brassica napus var. oleifera) • photosynthetic efficiency • plant hormones • root to shoot communication • sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) • stomata status • stress physiology • tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) • total antioxidant activity • water relations • water use efficiency

METHODS USED

Enzyme immunomethods – measurement of abscisic acid (ABA) content and level of some cytokinins in plant material by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay)

Screening methods – evaluation of resistance level against abiotic stresses of genotypes and/or cultivars of crop plants on the basis of chlorophyll a fluorescence measurement and status of stomata using precision monitoring of testing conditions like temperature, CO₂ concentration, air humidity and soil water content

Determination of total antioxidant activity - measurement of low-molecular antioxidants in plant tissues by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging method adopted to microtitration plates using common plate reader

BIBLIOMETRIC PARAMETERS

Bibliometric parameters according to Web of Science (Clarivate) retrieved on 10.11.2025.

Current bibliometric parameters available on Web of Science (Clarivate).

PUBLICATIONS

List of publications with citations available on the following websites:

Selected publications listed by year with links to the publishers' websites:

Laskoś K., Waligórski P., Pisulewska E., Janowiak F., Sadura-Berg I. & Czyczyło-Mysza I. M. (2025) Herbal maceration modulates fatty acid profile of cold-pressed oils and preserves antioxidant activity during long-term storage. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 38592. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-22563-5. Read more.

Jurczyk B., Dziurka M., Janowiak F., Pociecha E., Grzesiak M. & Rapacz M. (2024) Waterlogging-Induced Changes in ABA, Carbohydrates and 6 Modify Freezing Tolerance in Prehardened Festuca pratensis. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 210(4), e12740. DOI: 10.1111/jac.12740. Read more.

Laskoś K., Czyczyło-Mysza I. M., Waligórski P., Dziurka K., Skrzypek E., Warchoł M., Juzoń-Sikora K., Janowiak F., Dziurka M., Grzesiak M. T., Grzesiak S., Quarrie S. & Marcińska I. (2024) Characterising Biological and Physiological Drought Signals in Diverse Parents of a Wheat Mapping Population. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25, 6573. DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126573. Read more.

Saja-Garbarz D., Libik-Konieczny M. & Janowiak F. (2024) Silicon improves root functioning and water management as well as alleviates oxidative stress in oilseed rape under drought conditions. Frontiers in Plant Science, 15. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1359747. Read more.

Dubas E., Krzewska M., Surówka E., Kopeć P., Springer A., Janowiak F., Weigt D., Mikołajczyk S.K., Telk A. & Żur I. (2024) New Prospects for Improving Microspore Embryogenesis Induction in Highly Recalcitrant Winter Wheat Lines. Plants, 13, 363. DOI: 10.3390/plants13030363. Read more.

Lenda M., Steudel B., Skórka P., Zagrodzka Z.B., Moroń D., Bączek-Kwinta R., Janowiak F., Baran A., Possingham H.P. & Knops J.M.H. (2023) Multiple invasive species affect germination, growth, and photosynthesis of native weeds and crops in experiments. Scientific Reports, 13, 22146. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48421-w. Read more.

Bączek-Kwinta R., Janowiak F., Simlat M. & Antonkiewicz J. (2023) Involvement of Dynamic Adjustment of ABA, Proline and Sugar Levels in Rhizomes in Effective Acclimation of Solidago gigantea to Contrasting Weather and Soil Conditions in the Country of Invasion. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24, 15368. DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015368. Read more.

Saja-Garbarz D., Libik-Konieczny M., Fellner M., Jurczyk B., & Janowiak F. (2022) Silicon-induced alterations in the expression of aquaporins and antioxidant system activity in well-watered and drought-stressed oilseed rape. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 174, 73-86. DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.01.033. Read more.

Żur I., Kopeć P., Surówka E., Dubas E., Krzewska M., Nowicka A., Janowiak F., Juzoń K., Janas A., Barna B. & Fodor J. (2021) Impact of Ascorbate-Glutathione Cycle Components on the Effectiveness of Embryogenesis Induction in Isolated Microspore Cultures of Barley and Triticale. Antioxidants, 10: 1254. DOI: 10.3390/antiox10081254. Read more.

Jurczyk B., Pociecha E., Janowiak F., Dziurka M., Kościk I. & Rapacz M. (2021) Changes in Ethylene, ABA and Sugars Regulate Freezing Tolerance under Low-Temperature Waterlogging in Lolium perenne. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(13), 6700. DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136700. Read more.

Laskoś K., Pisulewska E., Waligórski P., Janowiak F., Janeczko A., Sadura I., Polaszczyk S. & Czyczyło-Mysza I.M. (2021) Herbal Additives Substantially Modify Antioxidant Properties and Tocopherol Content of Cold-Pressed Oils. Antioxidants, 10, 781. DOI: 10.3390/antiox10050781. Read more.

Saja-Garbarz D., Ostrowska A., Kaczanowska K. & Janowiak F. (2021) Accumulation of Silicon and Changes in Water Balance under Drought Stress in Brassica napus var. napus L. Plants, 10(2), 280. DOI: 10.3390/plants10020280. Read more.

Lenda M., Skórka P., Kuszewska K., Moroń D., Bełcik M., Bączek-Kwinta R., Janowiak F., Duncan D. H., Vesk P. A., Possingham H. P. & Knops J. M. H. (2021) Misinformation, internet honey trading and beekeepers drive a plant invasion. Ecology Letters, 24, 165-169. DOI: 10.1111/ele.13645. Read more.

Maślanka M., Bach A. & Janowiak F. (2021) Early-stage application of exogenous aba enhances the differentiation of somatic embryos in Tulipa L. ‘apeldoorn’ cultures. Propagation of Ornamental Plants, 21(2): 43-51. Read more.

Marcińska I., Dziurka K., Waligórski P., Janowiak F., Skrzypek E., Warchoł M., Juzoń K., Kapłoniak K. & Czyczyło-Mysza I.M. (2020) Exogenous Polyamines Only Indirectly Induce Stress Tolerance in Wheat Growing in Hydroponic Culture under Polyethylene Glycol-Induced Osmotic Stress. Life, 10, 151. DOI: 10.3390/life10080151. Read more.

Surówka E., Rapacz M. & Janowiak F. (2020) Climate Change Influences the Interactive Effects of Simultaneous Impact of Abiotic and Biotic Stresses on Plants. Plant Ecophysiology and Adaptation under Climate Change: Mechanisms and Perspectives I: General Consequences and Plant Responses (ed. M. Hasanuzzaman), 1-50. Springer Singapore, Singapore. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-2156-0_1. Read more.

Malaga S., Janeczko A., Janowiak F., Waligórski P., Oklestkova J., Dubas E., Krzewska M., Nowicka A., Surówka E., Rapacz M., Wójcik-Jagła M., Kopeć P., Hura T., Ostrowska A., Kaczanowska K. & Żur I. (2020) Involvement of homocastasterone, salicylic and abscisic acids in the regulation of drought and freezing tolerance in doubled haploid lines of winter barley. Plant Growth Regulation, 90, 173-188. DOI: 10.1007/s10725-019-00544-9. Read more.

Żur I., Dubas E., Malaga S., Janowiak F., Janeczko A., Rapacz M., Hura T., Waligórski P., Ostrowska A. & Wójcik-Jagła M. (2019) Identification of factors which determine drought and freezing tolerance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Bulletin of Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute, 286, 113-116. Read more.

Żur I., Dubas E., Krzewska M., Zieliński K., Fodor J. & Janowiak F. (2019) Glutathione provides antioxidative defence and promotes microspore-derived embryo development in isolated microspore cultures of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.). Plant Cell Reports, 38, 195-209. Read more.

Gołębiowska-Pikania G., Kopeć P., Surówka E., Janowiak F., Krzewska M., Dubas E., Nowicka A., Kasprzyk J., Ostrowska A., Malaga S., Hura T. & Żur I. (2017) Changes in protein abundance and activity induced by drought during generative development of winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Journal of Proteomics, 169, 73-86. Read more.

Jurczyk B., Pociecha E., Janowiak F., Kabała D. & Rapacz M. (2016) Variation in waterlogging-triggered stomatal behavior contributes to changes in the cold acclimation process in prehardened Lolium perenne and Festuca pratensis. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 109, 280-292. Read more.

Grzesiak M.T., Janowiak F., Szczyrek P., Kaczanowska K., Ostrowska A., Rut R., Hura T., Rzepka A. & Grzesiak S. (2016) Impact of soil compaction stress combined with drought or waterlogging on the physiological and biochemical markers in two maize hybrids. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 38, 1-15. Read more.

Maślanka M., Bach A. & Janowiak F. (2016) Endogenous ABA content in relation to maturation of somatic embryos in Tulipa (L.) ‘Apeldoorn’ cultures. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 38, 270. Read more.

Eckstein A., Krzeszowiec W., Banaś A.K., Janowiak F. & Gabryś H. (2016) Abscisic acid and blue light signaling pathways in chloroplast movements in Arabidopsis mesophyll. Acta Biochimica Polonica, 63, 449–458. Read more.

Rutowicz K., Puzio M., Halibart-Puzio J., Lirski M., Kotliński M., Kroteń M.A., Knizewski L., Lange B., Muszewska A., Śniegowska-Świerk K., Kościelniak J., Iwanicka-Nowicka R., Buza K., Janowiak F., Żmuda K., Jõesaar I., Laskowska-Kaszub K., Fogtman A., Kollist H., Zielenkiewicz P., Tiuryn J., Siedlecki P., Swiezewski S., Ginalski K., Koblowska M., Archacki R., Wilczynski B., Rapacz M. & Jerzmanowski A. (2015) A Specialized Histone H1 Variant Is Required for Adaptive Responses to Complex Abiotic Stress and Related DNA Methylation in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology, 169, 2080-2101. Read more.

Żur I., Dubas E., Krzewska M. & Janowiak F. (2015) Current insights into hormonal regulation of microspore embryogenesis. Frontiers in Plant Science, 6, 424. Read more.

Żur I., Dubas E., Krzewska M., Waligórski P., Dziurka M. & Janowiak F. (2015) Hormonal requirements for effective induction of microspore embryogenesis in triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.) anther cultures. Plant Cell Reports, 34, 47-62. Read more.

A searchable list of publications is also available at IPP PAS database.

RECENT POSTERS

Żur I., Surówka E., Dubas E., Nowicka A., Krzewska M., Hura T., Rapacz M., Wójcik-Jagła M., Ostrowska A., Malaga S. & Janowiak F. Antioxidative system activity as the marker for freezing and drought tolerance in winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Poster at the 4th Conference of Cereal Biotechnology and Breeding, November 6-9, 2017, Budapest, Hungary. Book of Abstracts, p. 103-104.

Kaczanowska K., Janowiak F., Jing H.-C., Bekele W.A., Samans B. & Snowdon R.J. Abscisic acid level and osmotic adjustment of sorghum roots under chilling conditions. Poster N28 at Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance III, June 29 – July 1, 2015, Vienna, Austria. Program and Abstracts, p. 47.

Janowiak F., Kaczanowska K., Jing H.-C., Bekele W.A. & Snowdon R.J. Metabolic limitations to photosynthetic efficiency of sorghum seedling leaves at low temperature. Poster at Agriculture and Climate Change: Adapting Crops to Increased Uncertainty, February 15-17, 2015, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Procedia Environmental Sciences 29, 277-278.

Żur I., Dubas E., Krzewska M., Nowicka A., Dziurka M., Waligórski P. & Janowiak F. Determinants of effective microspore embryogenesis in triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.), Poster at 3rd Conference of Cereal Biotechnology and Breeding CBB3, November 2-4, 2015, Berlin, Germany.

Grzesiak M., Janowiak F., Szczyrek P., Kaczanowska K., Ostrowska A., Rut G., Rzepka A. & Grzesiak S. Multistress effect of soil compaction combined with drought or waterlogging on changes in physiological characteristics in maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids. Poster No. PPS002 at Botany 2015, July 25-29, 2015, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Żur I., Dubas E., Krzewska M. & Janowiak F. Mapping of quantitative trait loci determining antioxidant activity in triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.) anthers associated with androgenesis initiation. Poster at The quest for tolerant varieties – Phenotyping at plant and cellular level, June 22-24, 2015, IPK Gatersleben, Germany.

Janowiak F., Kaczanowska K., Jing H.-C., Bekele W.A. & Snowdon R.J. Osmotic adjustment, abscisic acid accumulation, and a decrease in photosynthetic efficiency are the key consequences of low temperature influence on sorghum seedlings. Poster at 10th International Plant Cold Hardiness Seminar Stress Recognition Triggers Plant Adaptation, Kórnik-Poznań, Poland, August 17-21, 2014. Book of Abstracts, p. S5.29.

Żur I., Dubas E., Krzewska M., Janowiak F. & Hura K. The role of the antioxidative system in the induction of microspore embryogenesis in anther culture of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.). Poster at Plant Symposium of the SEB Oxidative stress and cell death in plants: mechanisms and implications, June 26-28, 2013, Florence, Italy. Book of Abstracts, p.39.

Żur I., Dubas E., Krzewska M., Janowiak F., Waligórski P. & Dziurka M. Modifications in endogenous plant growth regulators level in winter triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.) anthers associated with induction of microspore embryogenesis. Poster at VIPCAII Plant Genetics and Breeding Technologies, February 18–20, 2013, Vienna, Austria. Book of Abstracts, p.76.

SELECTED RESEARCH PROJECTS

Research and development related to the preparation of new and healthy dietary solutions based on fatty acids from the EFA group for selected food products with the aim of improving their nutritional and sensory value; 2020; Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP); POIR.02.03.02-12-0039/19; project participant

ERANET GAS – Genetic Adaptation of Sorghum: Genomics-based breeding of a sustainable, next-generation bioenergy crop for Europe; 2013-2016; NCBR; ERA-NET-BIOENERGY-3/2013; leader of the Polish part of the project

The role of root-to-shoot communication in the tolerance of maize (Zea mays L) against drought and low temperature and its possible use in breeding new hybrids, 2010-2011; MNiSW; N N310 441138, project leader

Water use efficiency, yield and quality of tomato fruits under conditions of common and alternating deficit irrigation and of root colonization with endomycorrhiza (arbuscular mycorrhiza); 2009-2010; MNiSW; 0953/B/P01/2009/36; project leader

Safe and High Quality Food Production using Low Quality Waters and Improved Irrigation Systems and Management (SAFIR); 2006-2008; 6th FP Priority 5 Food Quality and Safety, EU; PL 023168; leader of the Polish part of the project

Genetic analysis of frost tolerance in barley: differences in genotypic-specific level of abscisic acid (ABA), expression of cold regulated genes and frost tolerance-associate molecular markers as tools to improve the winter-hardiness of barley in Poland; 2004-2006; MNiSW; Italian-Polish joint research project #25; leader of the Polish part of the project

Control of photosynthesis by plant root systems under stress; 2000-2002; The Royal Society in London; leader of the Polish part of the project

COOPERATION WITH FOREIGN SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS

Institute of General Botany (now Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology), University of Hamburg – cooperation with Prof. Karl Dörffling in the years 1988-2006 in the form of bilateral projects and research stays as DAAD, DFG and EU (Copernicus, COST 814) fellowship holder

School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol – cooperation with Prof. Michael B. Jackson in the years 1998-2010 in the form of research project and research visits financed by Royal Society, London

East Malling Research – cooperation with Dr Mark A. Else in the years 2000-2005 in the form of research project and research visits financed by Royal Society, London

CRA Genomic Research Centre of Fiorenzuola d'Arda – cooperation with Prof. Luigi Cattivelli and Dr Fulvia Rizza in the years 2003-2006 in the form of bilateral research project

Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, University of Bonn – cooperation with Prof. Folkard Asch in the years 2004-2007 in the form of research stays as DAAD and DFG fellowship holder

Institute of Plant Production and Agroecology in the Tropics and Subtropics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Hohenheim – cooperation with Prof. Folkard Asch since 2007 in the form of Memorandum of Understanding

Department of Agriculture and Ecology, University of Copenhagen – cooperation with Prof. Christian R. Jensen and Prof. Fulai Liu since 2000 in the form of research stays within the exchange programme Cirrius and EU project SAFIR

Department of Plant Breeding, Institute of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Justus Liebig University Giessen – cooperation with Prof. Rod Snowdon since 2013 in the form of multilateral scientific project ERANET GAS

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Supervisor of PhD theses at Doctoral Studies in Natural Sciences at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kraków:

Physiological reactions of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) to common and alternating deficit irrigation – Dr Barbara Wojciechowska, 2011

Physiological reactions of maize (Zea mays L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants to abiotic stress factors with special emphasis on root-to-shoot communication – Dr Joanna Sawa, 2011

Mechanisms of chilling tolerance in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) – Dr Katarzyna Kaczanowska, 2024

Reviewer of PhD theses:

Physiological, ultra-structural and molecular aspects of the inhibition of transport processes in maize leaves under chilling conditions – Dr Anna Bilska, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute (IHAR) in Radzików near Warsaw, 2007

Stress tolerance and hardiness of woody plants – Dr Majken Pagter, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2008

Physiological basis of Centaurea cyanus L. resistance to tribenuron methyl and usefulness physical and biochemical methods to assess this resistance – Dr Diana Saja, Pedagogical University in Kraków, 2013

Usefulness of fast kinetics measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence for the evaluation of frost tolerance in triticale and wheat – Dr Monika Sasnal, University of Agriculture in Kraków, 2014

Proline accumulation and the activity of pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase under drought conditions in two spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes and homozygous lines originating from their hybridization – Dr Justyna Niedziela, University of Life Sciences in Poznań, 2017

Coordination between hydraulic and chemical signals in controlling water dynamics of tomato plants exposed to climate change – Dr Shenglan Li, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2021

Dilemma between yield and quality: multigenerational effect of elevated CO₂ and nitrogen supply on wheat cultivars – Dr Xizi Wang, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2023

Interaction between abscisic acid and ethylene in plant response to combined elevated CO₂ and abiotic stress – Dr Kehao Liang, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2024