Drought-Resistant Gene In Rice

     October 14, "the United States Academy of Sciences" (PNAS) published online the latest scientific research of rice scientists. In the article, entitled "A key enzyme DWA1 giant waxy skin by regulating the synthesis of drought-induced drought resistance in rice to control adaptive" (Putative megaenzyme DWA1 plays essential roles in drought resistance by regulating stress-induced wax deposition in rice) papers , researchers from Huazhong Agricultural University, identified a rice gene DWA1, confirmed that by regulating stress-induced plant cuticular wax (Cuticular wax) cumulative drought played a crucial role. The findings may have great importance for improving drought resistance crop varieties.

    Including the waxy cuticle and horny, it is covered in terrestrial plant surfaces in contact with the external environment an important protective barrier. Cuticular wax in plants resistance to various biotic and abiotic stress plays a very important role, such as preventing moisture loss nonstomatal line, resist the invading bacteria and prevent devour herbivorous insects, UV and frost resistance to abiotic stresses the impacts

   Water stress often leads to increased accumulation of wax. For water stress resistant plants generally have thick waxy cuticle. Studies have shown that stress-induced wax content increased, the sensitivity can lead to leaf water loss is reduced. Meanwhile, the wax content increases, also increase the ability of the plant drought-resistant. But under drought stress conditions for the waxy cuticle accumulation of genetic regulation mechanism is not very clear.