Our interdisciplinary team combines advanced imaging techniques (neutron/micro-CT), lab/field experiments and models to investigate the role of below-ground hydraulics (root, soil and their interface) in climate change adaptation and mitigation both in agricultural and natural ecosystems. Current research projects include: (1) effects of root hairs/mucilage/arbuscular mycorrhiza on plant scale water relations; (2) disentangling the impact of soil/atmosphere drought and/or heat stress on stomata regulation, water status and plant water use; (3) mechanisms underlying the resilience of water transport in angiosperm leaves and roots.

 

News: DFG Research Unit “The Influence of Soil and Plant Hydraulics on Transpiration and Plant Growth in Response to Drought [SOPHY]” funded

With increasing drought stress under global warming, an important question is how plants maintain water transport between the soil, the plant, and the atmosphere under drought. The research unit SOPHY, in which our lab participates, aims to develop a predictive model linking transpiration rates to soil dryness across different soil types, climatic conditions and plant species. More information: www.ls.tum.de/en/ls/public-relations/news/news-detail/article/the-german-research-foundation-dfg-funds-new-research-unit-at-tum-in-weihenstephan/