Researchers use terahertz spectroscopy to explore how agaves retain water in dry environments, offering insights for drought-resistant crops.
Researchers use terahertz spectroscopy to explore how agaves retain water in dry environments, offering insights for drought-resistant crops.
Agave plants may be best known for their role in tequila production, but they are also remarkably adept at retaining water in extremely dry environments. In a new study, researchers used terahertz spectroscopy and imaging to gain new insights into how these succulents store and manage water to survive in dry conditions.
“Understanding how plants adapt to dry conditions could lead to better farming practices and be used to develop crops that require less water,” said Monica Ortiz-Martinez from the Centro de Investigaciones en Optica (CIO) in Mexico. “This could lead to higher crop yields with lower water consumption, benefiting farmers, food production and global food security.”
The new study utilizes terahertz waves, which fall between microwaves and the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because water strongly absorbs terahertz radiation, the researchers used terahertz spectroscopy and imaging to measure hydration levels in plant tissues, map the water inside the plant and study how its fructan sugars hold onto water at a molecular level.
Read more at Optica
Image: The researchers found that agave leaves have an inner core that remains highly hydrated while the outer layer acts as a protective barrier to reduce water loss. (Credit: Enrique Castro, CIO)
