This project plans to improve the efficiency of water use for Mediterranean agriculture through sustainable approaches via an investigation of the effects of partial root drying on the vegetative and reproductive growth of a range of fruit crops. Irrigation down one side of a row of plants allows soil drying around roots on the other side. If the wetting zone is alternated from one side of the row to the other then some roots of the plant are always in contact with drying soil. This technique is being employed to control vegetative vigour, save irrigation water and reduce fertiliser use without influencing fruit yield and quality. In the first year of this project, partners from Portugal, Cyprus, Turkey, Morocco and the United Kingdom have made significant progress in trialing this technique in a wide range of crops with potentially significant consequences for Mediterranean and global agriculture.