CROPWET studies waterlogging, when soils become saturated after heavy or prolonged rainfall events, a problem growing with climate change. These short-term flooding events threaten crop yields, especially in boreal regions with heavy soils and poor drainage. The project focuses on barley, one of the most sensitive cereals to waterlogging.
The project will identify risk areas and monitor waterlogging in farmers’ fields, while also examining the physiological and genetic basis of waterlogging tolerance in barley with controlled experiments. Understanding these responses will help develop strategies to improve crop resilience.
In addition, the project aims to improve crop growth models to better understand and predict waterlogging impacts and future risks under changing climate conditions.The results will enhance climate impact models and support adaptation planning, benefiting farmers and food security in Finland and globally.
