Within the FruitCREWS COST Action, Working Group 1 (WG1) focuses on improving the monitoring of tree water status and functionality in fruit crops. The group works with physiological indicators and advanced sensing technologies to better understand how fruit trees respond to different water conditions. By combining plant-based sensors with remote sensing tools, WG1 aims to support more precise irrigation practices and sustainable orchard management.
Over the first three years of the Action, WG1 has made significant progress in advancing plant-based and remote sensing solutions for irrigation management in woody crops. One of the first steps was launching a survey among researchers participating in the group to identify the main indices and sensors currently used by the scientific community to assess tree water and functional status. This activity provided valuable insight into existing approaches and helped map the expertise within the network.
Another important milestone was the launch of the Special Issue “Available Plant-Based and Remote Sensing Solutions for Irrigation Management of Woody Crops” in the journal Scientia Horticulturae. The Special Issue brings together current research and practical applications of physiological indicators and sensing technologies. So far, nine articles have been published, while more than thirty additional manuscripts have been submitted and are currently under review.
WG1 has also initiated a series of review papers examining the anatomical and physiological responses of different fruit crops to water availability. These reviews focus on almond, grapevine, peach, apple and kiwifruit, providing comprehensive knowledge for both researchers and growers. The review on almond has already been published, while the remaining ones are currently in preparation.
In parallel, the group has grown into a large collaborative network of 266 members, strengthening knowledge exchange across countries and disciplines. WG1 has also compiled a database of 88 irrigation trial case studies, covering different fruit crops, environments and sensor technologies. This database represents an important resource for analysing plant responses to water stress, evaluating sensor reliability and exploring the integration of plant-based and remote sensing approaches. Ultimately, this work supports the development of more precise irrigation strategies and contributes to sustainable orchard management.
Looking ahead to the final year of the Action, WG1 plans to translate its research findings into practical solutions. For each studied crop, the group will identify the most effective tools and approaches for monitoring tree water status and functionality. These solutions are expected to be integrated into Decision Support Systems (DSS), helping growers make better-informed irrigation decisions.
As highlighted by Prof. Alan N. Lakso from Cornell University:
“Thank you for running WG1. It is very useful to get started on an ambitious project. I am sure I can contribute.”
Through its scientific work, collaborative network and extensive data collection, WG1 has established a strong foundation for improving water status monitoring in fruit crops. By integrating sensing technologies, sharing knowledge and analysing field case studies, the group contributes directly to the FruitCREWS mission of improving water-use efficiency in fruit production. These efforts support sustainable orchard management and help fruit growers better adapt to increasing water scarcity.
Working Group Leader:
Pasquale Losciale, PhD
University of Bari “Aldo Moro”
pasquale.losciale@uniba.it