In plant biology, we study ecologically and functionally diverse plants to understand their structural and functional mechanisms and interactions in terrestrial ecosystems. We focus on the links between climate change and plant stress, and on how these affect communities in natural and agricultural landscapes. Our aim is to contribute to global climate modelling and to improve forecasts related to changes in local ecosystems.
Well-equipped laboratories and cultivated experimental fields support both international research and practical, modern teaching.
Teaching and Education
The faculty members and researchers of our chair primarily contribute to teaching within the Agricultural Production and Marketing curriculum, as well as in the Veterinary Medicine program and doctoral studies in Agriculture and Applied Biology.
The fields of study we cover include crop production (agronomy), conventional and organic farming, plant physiology, plant genetics and breeding, soil management and mechanization technologies, as well as agricultural regulations.
We supervise students' final theses at all academic levels: bachelor's, master's, and doctoral studies.
Research
In the field of crop production, our research and development activities cover both traditional field crops (including cereals, oil crops, potatoes, cover crops, and forage crops) and the cultivation of new crops, agroecology, as well as studies on stress tolerance and disease resistance under climate change conditions.
In the field of plant biology, we investigate the interactions between plants and stress factors (such as drought, waterlogging, plant diseases, and herbivores), photosynthesis efficiency, metabolism, emissions of volatile organic compounds, plant tissue anatomy, and genetic traits. Our goal is to refine climate models and develop environmentally friendly production technologies. Our research subjects include both woody and herbaceous plants, as well as cryptogams (such as mosses, lichens, and algae).
The chair has access to world-class laboratories and research facilities for experimental studies. Field trials are conducted at the Eerika and Rõhu experimental fields. Through international projects and collaborations, we contribute to analyzing the impacts of climate change and developing innovative solutions for agriculture and the bioeconomy.
We lead the AgroCropFuture Centre of Excellence – Agroecology and New Crops for Future Climates.
AgroCropFuture
Centres of Excellence in research are scientific consortia aimed at fostering collaboration and joint activities among Estonia’s leading research groups, supporting high-potential fields, and contributing practical solutions to nationally significant topics.
The AgroCropFuture: Agroecology and New Crops for Future Climates Centre of Excellence brings together researchers from the Estonian University of Life Sciences, University of Tartu, and the Estonian Rural Research and Development Centre. The centre operates for a period of seven years, until the end of 2030, with a €7 million funding allocation from the Ministry of Education and Research.
History of the Chair
Agricultural crop production (agronomy) has been a core discipline of the university since its foundation. Research in plant physiology was introduced in 2006.
In 2009, these two fields were merged to form the Crop Production and Plant Biology Division. Since 2017, the leadership of the field has been consolidated under the Chair of Crop Production and Plant Biology, which was established by combining the departments of Crop Production and Grassland Management and Plant Physiology.
Over time, the field has operated in several locations, most recently in Eerika, Harku, and at the Estonian University of Life Sciences campus in Metsamaja. Today, all activities are based in Metsamaja, with experimental fields located in Eerika.
Ülo Niinemets
Tenured Professor in Plant and Crop Science (Head of the Chair)
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Chair of Environmental and Agricultural Plant Biology
+372 7313140
+372 731314053457189
53457189Estonian University of Life Sciences
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 5, Tartu 51006, Building D
