, have discovered a previously unknown molecular pathway that plants use to control their intake of carbon dioxide. The researchers believe that by utilizing this mechanism, it could be possible to improve the water-use efficiency and carbon intake of plants, which is crucial as the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere continue to rise. In light of this, the team has filed a patent and is exploring ways to apply their findings to the development of tools for crop breeders and farmers.
“The response to changes is critical for plant growth and regulates how efficient the plant can be in using water, which is important as we see increased drought and rising temperatures,” said Julian Schroeder, Torrey Mesa Research Institute chair in plant science at UC San Diego, who led the new research.
“Finding that the CO2 sensor in plants is made up of two proteins was enlightening and may be a reason the mechanism hadn’t been identified until now,” Schroeder said. “NSF support over the last two decades was critical to locating this elusive pathway.”