Sustainable Water Management in Crops in the Tropics and Subtropics

Dear Colleagues,

Water is the primary resource in agriculture. Estimates indicate that 70% of the water used by humans in the world is destinated for irrigation, and irrigated crops are responsible for about 45% of world food production. Thus, water may limit food production, even in areas where temperature, soil, and light are ideal for plant growth. Climate change certainly increases the need for farmers to manage water use even better. Different mathematical models have shown that the globe is warming, and depending on the intensity of the temperature increase, mainly in the tropics, may have a tremendous impact on agriculture and soil quality. Subtropical areas may also suffer, demanding changes in agricultural systems. Researchers have to provide better ways to preserve freshwater resources and store water. It is necessary to improve irrigation systems; breed plants with an increased ability to acquire water from the soil, improve water use efficiency, and tolerate salinity; develop new methods to supply water to plants; and produce new molecules to help plants to retain and use water efficiently, among several other important subjects related to water in agriculture. These tasks may be attainable by conventional or advanced approaches, such as biotechnology and nanotechnology. Altogether, these needs strongly show that water has an enormous economic value in agriculture, and sustainable practices must be pursued with the aim of improving water management in crops in tropic and subtropic regions.

The focus of this Special Issue is on development of the sustainability of water in agriculture in tropic and subtropic regions. We welcome manuscripts in any area from practical field research to social and economic aspects so long as they maintain this focus. We wish to integrate into the same issue, a comprehensive view of water use in agriculture, which has never been covered by any previous initiative.

Prof. Dr. Paulo Mazzafera
Prof. Dr. Sara Adrian Lopes Andrade
Dr. Franklin Magnum de Oliveira Silva
Dr. Vinícius Henrique de Oliveira
Dr. José Francisco de Carvalho Gonçalves
Guest Editors

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• sustainability
• water management
• irrigation
• water use efficiency
• root system
• water pollution
• food security
• crop physiology
• climate changes
• crop science
• forest science