Researchers Discover Natural Corn Traits That Improve Water Uptake, Promote Deeper Root Growth, and Help Crops Perform Better During Drought Conditions.
Penn State researchers have identified naturally occurring characteristics in corn that could help plant breeders develop hybrids better equipped to withstand drought conditions.
The findings, published in Crop Science, focus on the role of longer metaxylem vessel elements—specialized tubes within the plant's water-conducting tissue that improve the movement of water from roots to leaves.
The study found that corn plants with these longer vessel elements also develop deeper, faster-growing root systems capable of reaching moisture stored farther below the soil surface.
Researchers refer to this combination of traits as the "stretch phenotype," which enhances water transport, improves moisture uptake, and supports stronger crop performance during periods of limited rainfall.
“Drought is a primary limitation for crop production and is projected to worsen due to climate change,” said study senior author Jonathan Lynch, professor of plant nutrition in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.
“Understanding and managing crop drought tolerance is an urgent priority for global agriculture. This study shows that corn plants with longer xylem vessel elements move water more efficiently, grow deeper roots, access deeper soil moisture and produce better yields during drought.”
The research team examined hundreds of genetically diverse corn plants and observed considerable variation in xylem vessel length.
Plants with longer vessels also featured lower perforation plate height, reducing resistance and allowing water to move more freely through the plant.
“Think of it like this — short pipes with many barriers result in slower flow and conversely, long, smooth pipes conduct faster flow,” Lynch explained.
“The perforation plates are like tiny partitions between xylem cells. Smaller/lower barriers mean less resistance to water flow. So, longer xylem vessel elements create a more efficient water-transport system.”
Greenhouse studies, field trials in Pennsylvania and Chile, and genetic analyses confirmed the findings, offering breeders a promising new pathway to develop more drought-resilient corn varieties.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-klosfoto