Carbon dioxide sensor in plants that controls water loss identified
Scientists identified a carbon dioxide sensor in plants, key for controlling water evaporation, photosynthesis and plant growth. The discovery holds implications for agricultural crop management.
Scientists at the University of California San Diego recently achieved a breakthrough in identifying the long-sought CO2 sensor in Arabidopsis plants and unraveled its functioning parts.
Carbon dioxide sensor is vital for water management
Since the stomatal pores control plant water loss, the sensor is vital for water management and holds implications for climate-induced drought, wildfires and agricultural crop management.
The scientists say for each carbon dioxide molecule taken in, a typical plant loses some 200 to 500 water molecules to evaporation through the stomatal pores.
According to School of Biological Sciences Distinguished Professor Julian Schroeder the sensor is extremely relevant because it recognizes when CO2 concentrations go up and determines how much water a plant loses as carbon dioxide is taken in.
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Improved water use efficiency of crops
The discovery could lead to innovations in efficient water use by plants as CO2 levels rise. “The water use efficiency of crops could be improved – more crop per drop,” Professor Schroeder said.
