Study objective:
examine the role of HXK in the control of the stomatal movement of perennial plants.
Study Results:
The expression of AtHXK1 in the guard cells of citrus reduced stomatal conductance and transpiration (measured by Plantarray) with no negative effect on the rate of photosynthesis, leading to increased water-use efficiency.
The results suggest that HXK coordinates photosynthesis and transpiration and stimulates stomatal closure not only in annual species, but also in perennial species.
Published article:
Lugassi et. al., (2015) Frontiers in plant sciences DOI:10.3389/fpls.2015.01114.