Gaochao Cai

I am currently working on the effect of different rhizosphere and root hydraulic processes on transpiration and the impact of the processes on plant adaptation to drought in University of Göttingen and University of Bayreuth (Bayreuth). 

Research interest:

Understanding the variations of water flow in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum using observations from different scales and numerical models. Development and application of different models, including water uptake models and root-crop growth models, for effective water and crop management. Exploring the effect of root water process on plant transpiration.

Education:     

09/2012 – 01/2018     PhD in soil hydrology. Agrosphere institute, IBG-3, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany. Thesis: “The impact of soil water distribution on root development and root water uptake of winter wheat.

09/2009 – 06/2012     M.Sc. in Environment Engineering. College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China. Thesis: “The treatment of rural domestic sewage in southern China by constructed wetland”.

09/2005 – 06/2009     B.Sc. in Biotechnology. College of Bioengineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China.

Research Experience and Internship

03/2018 – present: researcher in the soil physics group of the Faculty of Biology, Chemistry & Earth Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.

03/2018 – present: researcher in the Department Agricultural Soil Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.

09/2012 – 12/2016: PhD student in Agrosphere institute, IBG-3, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich Germany.

26/6 – 4/07/2013: Summer school “Roots and Soils – Modelling Approaches” in Montpellier, France.

2010 – 2011: Designed a set of constructed wetlands device for rural sewage treatment in south China, ran and managed it.

12/2009: Determined soil enzymes in four types of soil for Chinese Academy of Forestry Sciences.

10 – 12/2009: Worked as an assistant in the environmental monitoring laboratory.

Publications:

G. Cai, J. Vanderborght, M. Langensiepen, H. Hüging, H. Vereecken. 2017. Root growth, water uptake, and sap flow of winter wheat in response to different soil water availability. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS, accepted).

G. Cai, J. Vanderborght, V. Couvreur, C. Mboh, and H. Vereecken. 2017. Parameterization of root water uptake models considering dynamic root distributions and compensation. Vadose Zone Journal.

G. Cai, J. Vanderborght, A. Klotzsche, J. van der Kruk, J. Neumann, N. Hermes, and H. Vereecken. 2016. Construction of Minirhizotron Facilities for Investigating Root Zone Processes. Vadose Zone Journal 15.

G. Cai, R.Hu, and S. Liu. 2011. A System Used for Treatment of Southern Rural Domestic Sewage. The patent number: CN102491520B, the certificate number: 1257591 (In Chinese).

S. Liu, R. Hu, G. Cai, S. Lin, J. Zhao, Y. Li. 2014. The role of UV-B radiation and precipitation on straw decomposition and topsoil C turnover. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 77: 197-202.

S. Liu, R. Hu, J. Zhao, N. Brüggemann, R. Bol, G. Cai, S. Lin, M. Shaaban. 2014. Flooding effects on soil phenol oxidase activity and phenol release during rice straw decomposition. Journal of plant nutrition and soil science 177.4 : 541-547.

S. Liu, R. Hu, G. Cai. 2012. Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle: A review. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology 23 (07): 1992-1998.

Conferences:

G. Cai, J. Vanderborght, V. Couvreur, C. Mboh, M. Javaux, and H. Vereecken. 2016. Parameterization of root water uptake models that consider dynamic root distributions and compensation. Kirkham Conference, Sede Boqer, Israel.

G. Cai, J. Vanderborght, V. Couvreur, C. Mboh, M. Javaux, and H. Vereecken. 2015. Comparisons of two root water uptake models based on field observations. Rhizosphere 4, Maastricht, Netherlands.

G. Cai, J. Vanderborght, V. Couvreur, M. Javaux, and H. Vereecken. 2015. Simulations and field observations of root water uptake in plots with different soil water availability. EGU, Vienna, Austria.

G. Cai, J. Vanderborght, M. Langensiepen, and H. Vereecken. 2014. Effects of soil water availability on water fluxes in winter wheat. AGU, San Francisco, U.S.A.

M. Langensiepen, M. Kupisch, G. Cai, J. Vanderborght, A. Stadler, H. Hüging, and F. Ewert. 2014. Wheat Transpiration Response to Soil Heterogeneity. AGU, San Francisco, U.S.A.