Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and maize (Zea mays L.) provide about two-thirds of all energy in human diets, and four major cropping systems in which these cereals are grown represent the foundation of human food supply. Yield per unit time and land has increased markedly during the past 30 years in these systems, a result of intensified crop management involving improve...

Abstract Key message The history of the relationship between plant growth and water consumption is retraced by following progression scientific thought through centuries: from a purely philosophical question, to conceptual methodological developments, towards research interest in functioning interaction with environment. Context has for long time occupied minds philosophers natural scientists. ...