Chemical Could Make Plants Resistant to Drought

A new chemical discovery by the University of California could help make plants resistant to drought. Researchers found that quinabactin, when sprayed on plants, mimics the hormone that makes the plant conserve water. The study, published in this month’s Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, The study showed soybeans sprayed with quinabactin and left unwatered for eight days remained in good health while the control plant wilted. Although more research is needed, scientists say the chemical could help make plants drought-resistant through traditional breeding or genetic modification. Read more (UT San Diego) or review the abstract.