LUMS Researchers Help International Scientists Discover Compounds That Could Make Crops More Drought-Resistant

Researchers at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) have collaborated on an international study that discovered two chemical compounds, NS5806 and its derivative UA49, which may enhance a plant's ability to survive drought. The study, published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, involved scientists from Japan, Italy, Germany, and Spain, alongside Dr. Khurram Bashir, an Associate Professor at LUMS, and PhD researcher Farhan Aziz.

The compounds affect potassium channel activity, regulating stomatal movement - microscopic pores on leaves that control water loss and gas exchange. While plants naturally produce the hormone abscisic acid during drought, external application can hinder seed germination and root growth. Laboratory tests revealed NS5806 and UA49 could offer drought-tolerance benefits without such adverse effects, suggesting they work through an alternative signalling pathway.

The research also uncovered a new link between potassium channel activity and calcium signalling in guard cells, responsible for stomatal movement. Although promising, the discovery is still in its infancy, requiring further extensive testing on major crops under real-world conditions before potential practical use in agriculture.