Resource Stewardship for a Secure Future

Did you know that crops “sweat”? It’s called evapotranspiration. Measuring and monitoring this biological process, along with soil moisture monitoring, allows farmers to reduce water demand without sacrificing yields. Significant advancements depend on our ability to manage in ever-smaller increments – and make predictions and decisions based on more exact and reliable data. IANR is leading the way in

discovering the flux and balance of water and energy in crop environments.

As demands on agriculture increase, so will competition for surface and groundwater resources – made even more challenging by the effects of climate change. IANR is studying the range of stressors that combine and interact to limit the genetic potential of plants, with the intent of understanding how organisms thrive. The field of “stress biology” unites researchers in agronomy, horticulture, biochemistry, entomology, plant pathology, natural resources, agriculture and biological systems engineering and other disciplines at the university – all focused on improving productivity in crops and animals, while promoting the health of humans and ecosystems.

The more we understand about the complex relationships of water, climate and biodiversity, the more informed the decisions governing our society, our natural resources and our personal lives. So in addition to protecting the quality and quantity of our water resources, IANR is dedicated to ensuring that better science leads to better policy.