The mission of the Plant Physiology and Genetic Research Unit is to increase the productivity, profitability and sustainability of agriculture in arid environments by developing new germplasm for both traditional and alternative crops and by improving plant responses to abiotic stresses and to changes in the global environment. 

Research is conducted under three major projects:

• Evaluation, Development, and Improvement of New/Alternative Industrial Crops
• Predicting Interactive Effects of CO2, Temperature, and Other Environment Factors on Agricultural Productivity
• Physiological and Genetic Basis of Cotton Acclimation to Abiotic Stress