Dürreverträglichkeit

Dürreverträglichkeit, often translated as drought tolerance, refers to the ability of a plant or an agricultural system to withstand or recover from periods of drought. It encompasses a range of physiological, morphological, and genetic characteristics that allow organisms to survive and maintain essential functions under water scarcity. For individual plants, this can involve mechanisms like deeper root systems to access water, reduced leaf surface area to minimize transpiration, or the ability to enter dormancy. In agricultural contexts, Dürreverträglichkeit extends to the management practices employed to mitigate drought impacts, such as selecting drought-resistant crop varieties, implementing efficient irrigation techniques, or adopting soil conservation methods.

The concept is crucial for food security and ecosystem resilience in the face of increasing climate variability and changing precipitation patterns. Research into Dürreverträglichkeit focuses on understanding the underlying biological processes and identifying traits that can be bred into crops or promoted in natural ecosystems. This includes studying the genetic basis of drought tolerance and developing new crop cultivars that can perform adequately with less water. Effective drought management strategies are vital for sustainable agriculture, particularly in regions prone to arid or semi-arid conditions. The goal is to reduce crop losses, conserve water resources, and ensure agricultural productivity in a changing climate.