Scientists have found a gene that allows plants to open and close their stomata which could help resist ozone pollution and drought. The discovery came on the heels of a study done last July, when British scientists concluded that the increase in ozone pollution actually reduces plants' ability to soak up carbon from the atmosphere by 15%. This was a terrible finding, of course, considering we've put so much C02 in the atmosphere, anyway, but also because it basically said that with so much atmospheric ozone plants couldn't be the carbon sinks we need them to be.

Knowing how the gene works may help scientists figure out a way to get the stomata to protect itself in the face of ozone and drought – which often forces the plant to lose 95% of its water by evaporation through the open stomata.The implications for drought-resistant plants in the face of climate change and for the future of drier areas seems exciting and, as with so many of these technologies, a half-baked answer to larger questions about agriculture. Meanwhile it will be interesting to see what happens with the discovery. How will this gene be used? Will the technology be affordable for small-scale farmers? How, if at all, will the application of the gene affect other biological properties of crops?

The gene was discovered by the University of Helsinki in Finland, when they noticed a mutant mustard plant that was so sensitive to ozone, it didn't close its stomata. These scientists (in collaboration with other European scientists and the University of California, San Diego) found that when the mutant plant was exposed to ozone and other stresses the stomata stayed open and didn't protect it.
The discovery is detailed in this week’s advance online publication of the journal Nature.

Source: Physorg.com

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