Plants' ability to find water is studied

Tel Aviv, Israel -- Israeli scientists say they are attempting to resolve the inefficiencies of current irrigation methods by improving plants' ability to find water.

Noting more irrigated water evaporates than reaches the roots of crops, Tel Aviv University researchers are genetically modifying plants' root systems to improve their ability to find the water essential to their survival.

Led by Professors Amram Eshel and Hillel Fromm, the scientists said they hope to engineer a plant that takes advantage of a newly discovered gene that controls hydrotropism -- a plant's ability to send its roots toward water.

"Our aim is to save water," said Eshel. "Plants that can sense water in a better fashion will be higher in economic value in the future."

The study that includes research doctoral student Tal Sherman is being funded by the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.