Biotech Updates

Tel Aviv Scientists Target Root System to Sense Water Use

August 22, 2008

Tel Aviv University researchers are genetically modifying the plants' root systems to improve their ability to find water for survival. Led by Prof. Amram Eshel, the team are trying to engineer a plant with a gene that controls hydrotropism, a plant's ability to send its roots towards water.

 "We are developing plants that are more efficient in sensing water," says research doctoral student Tal Sherman.  Increasing a plant’s efficiency for water uptake results in higher economic value and significant water-saving costs for farmers. The project is being funded by the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

See the article in http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080730155346.htm