Yael Grunwald Ph.D.
Fruit Tree Physiology Research
- Institute of Plant Sciences
- Fruit Tree Sciences
- Dept. of Fruit Tree Sciences Room No. Institute of Plant Sciences Volcani center ARO Rishon LeTzion
- +972-508282617
- +972-39683394
Education
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1998-2002
BSc. in life Science from Tel Aviv University
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2009-2012
MSc. Environmental Quality Sciences and Agriculture, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot. Research Topic: Phytoremediation of pesticides by Bacteria and plants.
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2013-2019
Ph.D. in Plant Physiology, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot. Research Topic: Regulation of water transport in leaves in response to light and stress conditions.
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Postdoc in Environmental Policy as part of the 'Mimshak' program by the Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences. Research Topics: Reducing agricultural effluents into water sources and urban flooding prevention
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2022-2024
Postdoc in Plant Ecophysiology in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science. Research Topic: How changing rainfall patterns impact vegetation patterns along the climate gradient in Israel.
Research Interests
My research focuses on the effects of climate change on fruit trees from various perspectives. Specifically, it examines how increasing heat waves in spring and summer impact water transport, flowering, and fruit setting in deciduous fruit trees, and how the reduction in winter chilling hours affects dormancy release and flowering intensity.
We use advanced physiological tools for continuous measurements of water flow and photosynthesis quantification in trees, as well as molecular tools to identify genetic markers that could be used to enhance the fruit trees of the future.
Additionally, we are seeking and developing precise agronomic solutions to dynamically improve tree performance under changing climate conditions.
We also run a unique apple breeding program in which we seek varieties that with early flowering and fruit set and that require very low chilling requirements.
Research Areas
- Plant Physiology
- Plant hydraulics and water relations
- Plant response to abiotic stress (heat, drought, radiation, salinity)
- Fruit Tree Breeding