Important step made in creating drought-tolerant crops
Thursday, 28 Feb 2008 16:16
The genetic discovery could help develop drought-resistant plants
Science In Focus
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Scientists claim to have made a discovery that could lead to the development of drought-tolerant crops.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki and the University of California in San Diego have discovered a gene that plays a crucial role in the regulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) uptake for photosynthesis and water evaporation in plants.
Their study, published in the journal Nature's advanced online publication, could help scientists who are working to determine how crops will survive as the climate warms.
They found an 'anion channel' which is of central importance to the regulation of plants' stomata; tiny pores that act as guard cells on the leaf surface, through which plants absorb CO2 and release water.
"Despite the vital role of guard cells in controlling plant water loss, ozone sensitivity and CO2 supply, the genes encoding some of the main regulators of stomatal movements remain unknown," the researchers write.
"We report the mapping and characterisation of [a gene that]… is essential for stomatal closure in response to CO2, abscisic acid, ozone, light/dark transitions, humidity change, calcium ions, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide."
They argue that by finding this gene, it may be possible in the future to grow a different kind of plant that is able to grow better in warmer conditions and may even be drought-resistant.