Scientists show drought-tolerant crops need skin in the game – Phys.org

The Holy Grail of crops that can survive long heat waves and drought may be a step closer with scientists finding a way to precisely measure a plant’s water loss through its skin.
There are only two ways that crops and other plants lose water: through their skin, otherwise known as the cuticle, and the stomata.
Until now, scientists have calculated a plant’s dehydration levels based primarily on the stomata, which are pores on leaves that release water vapor and take in carbon dioxideotherwise…

Click here to view the original article.