An international research team led by the Spanish National Research Council, with the participation of the Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, has identified the molecular mechanism that regulates how plants respond to water scarcity. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, opens new avenues for the development of more drought-resilient crops.
The research reveals a molecular ‘code’ that controls the activity of a family of proteins responsible for sensing abscisic acid (ABA), known as the plant ‘stress hormone’. This system acts as a switch that can activate or finely tune the plant’s response to drought, enabling anything from mild water-saving adjustments to strong defensive responses under severe stress.
Among the contributors is Pedro L. Rodríguez, who highlights that “plants have evolved different levels of sensitivity to ABA, allowing them to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions.”
A key mechanism for plant adaptation
The research team compared receptors from different species, ranging from aquatic organisms to modern crops, demonstrating how this system has evolved to improve plant responses to water stress.
This diversity of mechanisms allows plants to balance sensitivity and robustness, optimizing water use while maintaining survival under varying environmental conditions.
Towards more resilient crops
One of the most significant findings of the study is the demonstration that this molecular ‘code’ can be modified through targeted mutations. These precise changes enable the reprogramming of plant responses to water stress, paving the way for crops that require less water without compromising productivity.
This discovery is particularly relevant in the context of climate change, where water scarcity is one of the major challenges for agriculture worldwide.
The study therefore provides a solid scientific foundation for advancing towards more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
