Reduced stomatal density in bread wheat leads to increased water-use efficiency

Dunn, Jessica; Hunt, Lee; Afsharinafar, Mana; Meselmani, Moaed Al; Mitchell, Alice; Howells, Rhian; Wallington, Emma J.; Fleming, Andrew J.; Gray, Julie E.

doi:10.1093/jxb/erz248

Cited by 155 publications

(149 citation statements)

References 55 publications

(85 reference statements)

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“…As this study, translational research utilising cereal EPF orthologues has resulted in the reduction of D in several high yielding C 3 crop species. Severe reductions in D of between 76 and 88% led to significant decreases in A in barley ( Hordeum vulgare ), rice ( Oryzae sativa ) and wheat ( Triticum aestivum ), under growth light conditions (Hughes et al , ; Caine et al , ; Dunn et al , ). However, studies of rice and wheat lines that exhibited more moderate reductions in D of c. 46–58% showed no deleterious effect on A. Interestingly, in these cereal crop studies, the negative relationship between S and D did not hold true; smaller GCs were present in the barley and rice with severely decreased D (Hughes et al , ; Caine et al , ).…”

Section: Stomatal Distribution and Its Impact On Photosynthesismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, estimations of g m have yet to be conducted on plants with drastically reduced numbers of stomata. Regardless of the exact mechanism(s), it is clear that we can decouple D from A , and as a result, increase iWUE and improve yields under drought conditions (Wang et al , ; Hughes et al , ; Caine et al , ; Dunn et al , ; Mohammed et al , ).…”

Section: Stomatal Distribution and Its Impact On Photosynthesismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As this study, translational research utilising cereal EPF orthologues has resulted in the reduction of D in several high yielding C 3 crop species. Severe reductions in D of between 76 and 88% led to significant decreases in A in barley (Hordeum vulgare), rice (Oryzae sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum), under growth light conditions (Hughes et al, 2017;Caine et al, 2019;Dunn et al, 2019). However, studies of rice and wheat lines that exhibited Together, these studies (Franks et al, 2015;Hughes et al, 2017;Caine et al, 2019) show that plants can be produced that have approximately half the normal number of stomata with no detrimental effects on A, suggesting that a threshold exists before which reductions in D begin to affect A.…”

Section: Reductions In Stomatal Densitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reductions In Stomatal Densitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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The influence of stomatal morphology and distribution on photosynthetic gas exchange

et al. 2019

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Summary The intricate and interconnecting reactions of C3 photosynthesis are often limited by one of two fundamental processes: the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, or the diffusion of CO2 from the atmosphere through the stomata, and ultimately into the chloroplast. In this review, we explore how the contributions of stomatal morphology and distribution can affect photosynthesis, through changes in gaseous exchange. The factors driving this relationship are considered, and recent results from studies investigating the effects of stomatal shape, size, density and patterning on photosynthesis are discussed. We suggest that the interplay between stomatal gaseous exchange and photosynthesis is complex, and that a disconnect often exists between the rates of CO2 diffusion and photosynthetic carbon fixation. The mechanisms that allow for substantial reductions in maximum stomatal conductance without affecting photosynthesis are highly dependent on environmental factors, such as light intensity, and could be exploited to improve crop performance.

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Section: Stomatal Distribution and Its Impact On Photosynthesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Stomatal Distribution and Its Impact On Photosynthesismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As this study, translational research utilising cereal EPF orthologues has resulted in the reduction of D in several high yielding C 3 crop species. Severe reductions in D of between 76 and 88% led to significant decreases in A in barley (Hordeum vulgare), rice (Oryzae sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum), under growth light conditions (Hughes et al, 2017;Caine et al, 2019;Dunn et al, 2019). However, studies of rice and wheat lines that exhibited Together, these studies (Franks et al, 2015;Hughes et al, 2017;Caine et al, 2019) show that plants can be produced that have approximately half the normal number of stomata with no detrimental effects on A, suggesting that a threshold exists before which reductions in D begin to affect A.…”

Section: Reductions In Stomatal Densitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reductions In Stomatal Densitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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The influence of stomatal morphology and distribution on photosynthetic gas exchange

et al. 2019

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“…The triple MAPK BdYODA was shown to be involved in maintaining fate asymmetry, and bdyda mutant plants showed clustered stomata, prickle hair cells and silica cells within but never between cell files (Abrash et al, 2018). Furthermore, overexpression of EPF1 in barley, rice and wheat drastically reduced stomatal density and resulted in more drought-resistant plants (for review, see Hughes et al, 2017;Caine et al, 2018;Bertolino et al, 2019;Dunn et al, 2019;Harrison et al 2019;Lu et al, 2019). Similarly, CRISPR/Cas9-editing of the stomatal fate promoting OsEPFL9/OsSTOMAGEN lead to an eightfold decrease in stomatal density in rice leaves (Yin et al, 2017).…”

Section: The One-cell-spacing Rulecontrol Of Stomatal Patterning and mentioning

confidence: 99%

Form, development and function of grass stomata

2019

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Summary Stomata are cellular breathing pores on leaves that open and close to absorb photosynthetic carbon dioxide and to restrict water loss through transpiration, respectively. Grasses (Poaceae) form morphologically innovative stomata, which consist of two dumbbell‐shaped guard cells flanked by two lateral subsidiary cells (SCs). This ‘graminoid’ morphology is associated with faster stomatal movements leading to more water‐efficient gas exchange in changing environments. Here, we offer a genetic and mechanistic perspective on the unique graminoid form of grass stomata and the developmental innovations during stomatal cell lineage initiation, recruitment of SCs and stomatal morphogenesis. Furthermore, the functional consequences of the four‐celled, graminoid stomatal morphology are summarized. We compile the identified players relevant for stomatal opening and closing in grasses, and discuss possible mechanisms leading to cell‐type‐specific regulation of osmotic potential and turgor. In conclusion, we propose that the investigation of functionally superior grass stomata might reveal routes to improve water‐stress resilience of agriculturally relevant plants in a changing climate.

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Plant Water‐Use Efficiency

Coupel‐Ledru

2021

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences

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The loss of water vapour from aerial tissues of terrestrial plants as they assimilate CO 2 from the atmosphere for photosynthesis is biophysically unavoidable. Photosynthesis and transpiration co‐vary with the aperture and density of stomatal pores, and are co‐determined by the leaf area, which is involved in light capture and water loss. Yet, the strength of this coupling varies depending on the genotype and the environmental conditions. This has prompted plant scientists to define water‐use efficiency (WUE) as the ratio of carbon gains to water losses. WUE is genetically variable and displays high plasticity to environmental cues including CO 2 , drought and vapour pressure deficit (VPD). Breeding crops with high WUE is a key challenge in the face of climate change, but this must be achieved without penalties on growth or yield. In this view, strategies exploiting the physiological and genetic bases of the spatial and/or temporal variability between carbon gain and water loss offer promising avenues. Key Concepts Plant water‐use efficiency (WUE) reflects the balance between carbon gains and water losses. WUE can be expressed at different scales, from seconds to months and from the stomata to the whole plant and the whole crop. Phenotyping methods for WUE are an active field of development, from gas‐exchange devices to measure photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, to phenotyping platforms and imaging methods to access biomass gain and water loss over several weeks or months. A wide genetic variability has been reported for WUE, both between and within species. WUE varies in response to environmental factors because these differentially affect water loss and carbon gain. The effects of atmospheric CO 2 concentration, VPD, light and ozone have been well described. WUE responses to drought and temperature are complex because many underlying processes are affected. To maintain production in the face of climate change, improved WUE associated with growth maintenance is a key breeding target. In this view, physiological and genetic leeway rely on exploiting the spatial and/or temporal decoupling between carbon gain and water loss.

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Reduced stomatal density in bread wheat leads to increased water-use efficiency

Abstract: Crops that require less water but produce the same yield would aid agriculture. We show that engineering lower stomatal density in wheat leaves can improve water-use efficiency, yet maintain yield.

Cited by 155 publications

References 55 publications

The influence of stomatal morphology and distribution on photosynthetic gas exchange

The influence of stomatal morphology and distribution on photosynthetic gas exchange

Form, development and function of grass stomata

Plant Water‐Use Efficiency

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