Drought, extreme temperatures, soil salinity and heavy metals seriously limit plant growth and affect the success of reforestation efforts. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress is the common component of such environmental stresses, which damages cellular structures and interferes with metabolic processes. Alleviation of oxidative damage is one of the most important component of tolerance to environmental stresses. Therefore information on oxidative stress is essential to improve abiotic stress tolerance of crops and woody plants. The OXIT project was envisioned to identify and characterize key components of oxidative stress responses and to develop novel strategies to improve drought, salt and heavy metal tolerance of poplar. The two Hungarian and the Serbian partners will join forces and collaborate to analyse oxidative stress responses of a model and a woody plant (poplar). ROS accumulation, cellular damage, activation of defense will be characterized in several poplar clones possessing different levels of tolerance to drought and heavy metals. Achievements: Reforestation and sustainability of forest habitats is of crucial importance in South Hungary and North Serbia. Environmental stresses such as drought, extreme temperatures, soil salinity and heavy metals seriously limit plant growth and affect the success of reforestation efforts. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress is the common component of such environmental stresses, which damage cellular structures and interfere with the metabolic processes of plants. Alleviation of oxidative damage is one of the most important components of tolerance to environmental stresses. Therefore, information on oxidative stress is essential for improving the abiotic stress tolerance of crops and woody plants. In this project Hungarian and Serbian research institutions collaborated to analyse oxidative stress responses of a model and a woody plant (poplar). Poplar is extensively used for forestation in the region. This plants roots grow deeply into the soil and depend on ground water for its water supply. Drought, salinity and inundation can affect its water parameters through the stomatal regulation of transpiration and root hydraulic conductance. The project started with the opening conference which de