Agricultural production systems in the Tropics and Subtropics are subject to rapidly changing basic parameters induced by climate change, limiting resources, fluctuation of prices for food and commodities and the world-wide increasing demand for bio-fuel and renewable resources. A sustainable management of the water resource of these systems requires a comprehensive analysis of factors contributing to the water balance on a local and regional scale.

The research activities of the Department of Management of Crop Water Stress in the Tropics and Subtropics (490g) considers the interactions between water availability and climatic conditions, soil fertility, and salinity. Management options are evaluated in terms of adapting cropping calendars and resource input, and evaluating the potential of varietal differences.The work of our group combines research approaches from the field-scale to the plant’s internal signaling.