Scientists at the Institute for Sustainable Food at the University of
Sheffield have found that engineering bread wheat to have fewer stomata on
their leaves are better able to survive drought and use water more
efficiently while maintaining their yields.

On average, it takes more than 1,800 liters of water to produce one kilogram
of wheat. As water supply becomes more scarce in the face of climate change,
farmers will need to produce more food to feed the world's growing
population.

The scientists grew wheat with higher levels of carbon dioxide and less
water, conditions that are similar to those expected under climate
breakdown. Compared to conventional wheat, the engineered plants used less
water while maintaining photosynthesis and yield. In a separate study,
scientists from the Institute also found that plants engineered to have
fewer stomata are less susceptible to diseases.

[www.sheffield.ac.uk]
elop-climate-ready-wheat-can-survive-drought-conditions