From February 5–9, 2024, researchers from the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (IFVCNS), Novi Sad, Serbia, participated in a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) hosted by the University of Rostock, Germany (UROS). The mission, titled “Phenotyping for Drought Tolerance,” was organized by Professor Renate Horn and Malin Alf from the Department of Plant Genetics.

The STSM focused on refining phenotyping protocols for drought tolerance using an in vitro system developed by UROS. Participants Dragana Miladinović and Aleksandra Radanović engaged in hands-on evaluation of sunflower genotypes. The evaluation included shoot measurements, root scanning, and RNA sampling. Additionally, Prof. Klaus Herburger gave an interesting lecture on integrating cell wall analyses into the broader research framework.

This collaborative visit successfully set up the basis for further experiments within the CROPINNO project, strengthening methodological alignment and preparing for the next phases of drought tolerance research.