A pair of studies conducted by researchers from the Center for Advanced
Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) show the potential of genetic
engineering in improving water use efficiency (WUE) in climate-friendly C4
bioenergy crops without negative effects on yield. Their studies are
published in the Journal of Experimental Botany.



In their first study, the CABBI team improved WUE in sorghum by inserting a
gene that modifies the developmental pattern and reduces the number of
stomata on the leaves. This approach minimizes water loss in sorghum plants
without affecting photosynthesis or biomass production. In the second study,
the researchers found that the remaining pores opened wider when stomatal
density was reduced in sugarcane and other C4 crops.



"Overcoming water limitations to crop production is really very central to
achieving our mission of underpinning a profitable, sustainable, and
resilient bioeconomy," said Dr. Andrew Leaky, Director of CABBI. The
findings of the study address challenges in crop research associated with
enhancing WUE in plants, such as reduced inherent productivity,
photosynthetic carbon gain, and growth rate. "We're taking the plants that
already have an advantage as crops and then potentially making them even
better without any drag on carbon gain," Dr. Leaky said.



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