Researchers led by Nagoya University have developed a groundbreaking chemical compound named Stomidazolone, which effectively reduces the number of stomata in plants. This innovation holds promise for creating drought-resistant crops by limiting water loss, offering a significant advancement in agricultural science.
Facing an increasingly unpredictable climate, a team of researchers led by Nagoya University’s Institute of Transformative Biomolecules (WPI-ITbM) have identified a chemical compound, named Stomidazolone, that effectively reduces stomatal density in plants. Their findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, present a potent solution to help crops conserve water during droughts.
Stomata are tiny pores on the surfaces of plant leaves, essential for essential processes like photosynthesis and transpiration. By manipulating the development of these pores, the scientists aim to create crops more resilient to dry conditions.
“Our research group (Torii group) has screened numerous small molecules to identify new factors that can probe and manipulate stomatal development. We found Stomidazolone, which was ideal as it does not affect plant growth but reduces stomata and can be applied through a simple treatment,” Ayami Nakagawa, a postdoctoral fellow at WPI-ITbM, said in a news release.
The team, led by Nakagawa and Keiko Torii, a professor in the Department of Molecular Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin who’s a visiting professor at WPI-ITbM, discovered Stomidazolone interferes with a crucial protein interaction involving MUTE and SCREAM, two proteins that typically pair to form stomata. This interference, achieved by binding to the ACT-like domain of MUTE, prevents the formation of new stomata without hindering overall plant growth.
This research underscores a significant advance in employing chemical compounds to target specific proteins and regulate vital biological processes.
Torii elaborates on the long-term vision.
“By expanding the chemical tools available for manipulating plant development, we deepen our understanding of how plants grow and unlock new possibilities for agricultural innovations using stoma control,” she said in a news release. “I hope our research will help engineer crops that can thrive in challenging and drought environments.”
The potential impact of Stomidazolone extends beyond just the scientific community. As drought conditions become more frequent and severe due to climate change, farmers could benefit from crops requiring less water. This could lead to more stable food supplies, improved agricultural sustainability, and increased resilience against environmental challenges.
The findings offer hope for the future of agriculture, showing how targeted chemical interventions can contribute to more durable crops adapting to harsh climates. With crop resilience becoming more critical in the face of global climate change, innovations like Stomidazolone could play a pivotal role in securing food supplies and supporting sustainable farming practices.