We will characterise the functional basis for changes to plant water use by examining a diverse range of relevant plant anatomical traits and physiological responses in a diverse range of crop species, comparing wild and domesticated forms.  

Through detailed functional and genetic analyses, we will explore the conservation and divergence of changes in water management through crop evolution at different phylogenetic scales, and discern any phylogenetic patterns to this conservation if present.  

Subsequent genetic analysis of selected/key traits in selected systems will define the genes and gene interactions that underlie these adaptations.