Plant ecophysiology

The overall goal of the research in the lab is to explore adaptation and acclimation mechanisms of plants to the desert environment in both natural and agriculture vegetation. Understanding tolerance mechanisms of plants grown in desert environments is invaluable for increasing the genetic pool of tolerant plants for agriculture and for maintaining biodiversity in natural ecosystems. A main focus of the research is the root system. Specifically, to explore the unique tolerance mechanisms of carbon metabolism, photochemistry, hydraulics and anatomy and the interaction between these mechanisms, of both roots and shoots that enable plants to prosper in drylands. The lab takes the advantage of its location in the desert and studies the surrounding natural and agricultural ecosystems. Studies in the lab span from basic (the role of dew, geodiversity, photosynthesis and photoprotection) to applied (root-scion interaction, wine vine acclimation and adaptation) research. Thus, the research material includes different species, from trees such as citrus and oaks to annuals such as barley and millet, local natural species such as Artemisia siberi, Salsola inermis and Anastatica hierochuntica and agricultural crops such as wine vine, tomato and bell peppers.