Mechanisms of resistance to various abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, iron toxicity, low temperatures and heavy metals) are studied on rice, durum wheat, various halophyte species, buckwheat and Cichorium intybus. Strategies of resistance are analysed at both the whole plant and cellular levels using physiological, biochemical and molecular tools. The impact of low temperatures and water stress on flowering modalities is studied on Cichorium intybus and buckwheat, respectively. The rates of heavy metals accumulation are analysed in various plant species in relation to growth properties in order to identify promising species for phytoremediation purposes. In vitro selection techniques with the use of somaclonal variation for improvement purposes are applied on rice and durum wheat.