José Luis Araus Ortega

The productivity of Mediterranean crops is limited by water scarcity and other abiotic stresses such as nitrogen deficiency. A better understanding of the ecophysiological and metabolic mechanisms of plant response to abiotic stresses will help to increase the yield and adaptation of Mediterranean crops, either through the development of new agronomic techniques or through crop genetic improvement. On the other hand, climate change seems to particularly affect the Mediterranean basin. Understanding the evolution of climatic and growth conditions of Mediterranean crops since their origins can help to better understand the current challenges that ongoing climate change poses to these crops.