Conditional up-regulation of cytokinin status increases growth and survival of sugarcane in water-limited conditions

TL;DRAbstract

Water deficit (water stress) is a major cause of yield loss across all crops. It is the single largest crop productivity constraint in sugarcane in most of sugarcane producing countries and is attracting considerable research interest. Several biological factors have been implicated to water stress responses in plants. Hormones, particularly abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, cytokinins (CK) and gibberellins are emerging as key regulators of water stress responses. Here, I explored the effect of artificial elevation of CK levels on the response of young sugarcane plants to water stress. Focus of the research was on the onset of senescence and change in photosynthesis that typify water stress responses of plants. Understanding the mechanistic basis of responses of sugarcane to water stress may allow developing strategies for crop improvement and breeding. I studied the effects of modifying cytokinin (CK) levels in water-stressed sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) via two strategies; exoge

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