Coordinated by Dr Simone Röhlen-Schmittgen at Geisenheim University (Institute of Vegetable Cultivation), the QCuK project will examine various cultivars and hybrid varieties for their drought tolerance. Growth, yield and fruit quality under water shortage will be investigated. Particular emphasis will be placed on the taste of the fruit and the altered composition of plant constituents under drought stress, which can influence both the taste and the nutritional quality of the fruit. At IBG-4, the project part is led by Dr. Anika Wiese-Klinkenberg. Here, the drought tolerance of courgette varieties and the influence of drought stress on gene expression will be investigated, with a special focus on biosynthetic pathways of secondary plant compounds that can influence both the taste and the quality of the fruit.

The project is supported (was supported) by funds of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) based on a decision of the parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany via the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) under the Federal Programme for Ecological Farming.