Reducing Stomatal Density in Barley Improves Drought Tolerance without Impacting on Yield

Jon Hughes; Christopher Hepworth; Chris Dutton; Jessica A. Dunn; Lee Hunt; Jennifer Stephens; Robbie Waugh; Duncan D. Cameron; Julie E. Gray

doi:10.1104/pp.16.01844

Reducing Stomatal Density in Barley Improves Drought Tolerance without Impacting on Yield

Jon Hughes, Christopher Hepworth, Chris Dutton, Jessica A. Dunn, Lee Hunt, Jennifer Stephens, Robbie Waugh, Duncan D. Cameron, Julie E. Gray

Earth and Environmental Sciences - Academic & Research

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The epidermal patterning factor (EPF) family of secreted signaling peptides regulate the frequency of stomatal development in model dicot and basal land plant species. Here, we identify and manipulate the expression of a barley (Hordeum vulgare) ortholog and demonstrate that when overexpressed HvEPF1 limits entry to, and progression through, the stomatal development pathway. Despite substantial reductions in leaf gas exchange, barley plants with significantly reduced stomatal density show no reductions in grain yield. In addition, HvEPF1OE barley lines exhibit significantly enhanced water use efficiency, drought tolerance, and soil water conservation properties. Our results demonstrate the potential of manipulating stomatal frequency for the protection and optimization of cereal crop yields under future drier environments.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	776–787
Number of pages	12
Journal	Plant Physiology
Volume	174
Issue number	2
Early online date	1 May 2017
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.16.01844
Publication status	Published - Jun 2017

Keywords

stomata

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1104/pp.16.01844

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title = "Reducing Stomatal Density in Barley Improves Drought Tolerance without Impacting on Yield",

abstract = "The epidermal patterning factor (EPF) family of secreted signaling peptides regulate the frequency of stomatal development in model dicot and basal land plant species. Here, we identify and manipulate the expression of a barley (Hordeum vulgare) ortholog and demonstrate that when overexpressed HvEPF1 limits entry to, and progression through, the stomatal development pathway. Despite substantial reductions in leaf gas exchange, barley plants with significantly reduced stomatal density show no reductions in grain yield. In addition, HvEPF1OE barley lines exhibit significantly enhanced water use efficiency, drought tolerance, and soil water conservation properties. Our results demonstrate the potential of manipulating stomatal frequency for the protection and optimization of cereal crop yields under future drier environments.",

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AU - Hughes, Jon

AU - Hepworth, Christopher

AU - Dutton, Chris

AU - Dunn, Jessica A.

AU - Hunt, Lee

AU - Stephens, Jennifer

AU - Waugh, Robbie

AU - Cameron, Duncan D.

AU - Gray, Julie E.

PY - 2017/6

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AB - The epidermal patterning factor (EPF) family of secreted signaling peptides regulate the frequency of stomatal development in model dicot and basal land plant species. Here, we identify and manipulate the expression of a barley (Hordeum vulgare) ortholog and demonstrate that when overexpressed HvEPF1 limits entry to, and progression through, the stomatal development pathway. Despite substantial reductions in leaf gas exchange, barley plants with significantly reduced stomatal density show no reductions in grain yield. In addition, HvEPF1OE barley lines exhibit significantly enhanced water use efficiency, drought tolerance, and soil water conservation properties. Our results demonstrate the potential of manipulating stomatal frequency for the protection and optimization of cereal crop yields under future drier environments.

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M3 - Article

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JO - Plant Physiology

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IS - 2

ER -

Reducing Stomatal Density in Barley Improves Drought Tolerance without Impacting on Yield

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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