Utilizing cutting-edge new technologies combined with classic agricultural techniques, scientists are tackling urgent problems of world hunger and natural resource scarcity. In addition to making profound contributions to the understanding of basics of soil and water sciences and those related to the basic processes of life, growth, development, and nutrition, researchers at the Faculty lead projects designed to protect fragile ecosystems. They are attuned to many environmental concerns, with the goal of achieving sustainable agriculture paramount. At the same time,Hebrew University experts are very cognizant of the dangers of this century’s explosive population growth and the pressing need to feed billions of people.

Given current-day challenges, Hebrew University plant scientists, working with HU biochemists, geneticists, nutritional science faculty, and experts at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, are engaged in basic research. Their work is boosting crop yield, quality, tolerance to pests and to environmental hazards, while extending the growing seasons and shelf-life for vegetables and fruits. The sheer variety of produce is being expanded.

Concerned to impart nutritional benefits to produce, scientists are developing crops with added nutritional value. They are developing important means to counter the detrimental effects of air, water and soil contamination and to mitigate the effects of climate changes related to global warming.

Recent Developments