Food Security
In the face of ongoing and projected climate change, including higher temperatures and more erratic climate events across extensive regions of the planet, breeding of crop plants with enhanced yield potential and improved resilience to stressful environments is crucial for global food security.
The effect of climate change on crop production are complex and affect yields both directly (e.g., climate‐associated yield instability and biodiversity) and indirectly (e.g., reduced soil fertility and carbon sequestration, as well as changes in microbial activity). To meet the demands of the ever-growing human population, a significant increase in crop-plant (e.g., food, feed, fibers, and bioenergy) production will be needed.
The research at the School of Plant Science and Food Security is using molecular, biochemical, genetic and physiological cutting edge tools for elucidating the mechanisms underlying crop resilience to suboptimal field conditions and developing crops with enhanced resource-use efficiency.
Researchers in the field:
