In Texas, researchers found that plants will generate a thicker layer of leaf wax to survive longer stretches of drought. Sarah Feakins, a scientist at USC who has studied leaf wax in the context of climate change, teamed up with researchers at Texas A&M University to research and develop drought-resistant crops.
During tests with growing winter wheat, a type harvested for yeast-based breads and other such products, the team found that the cultivars in a high and dry area of Texas generated more protective wax on their leaves to protect themselves against more extreme conditions.
The results mimicked what scientists have found in natural ecosystems: Plants that survive in dry climates have higher concentrations of wax. To breed crops that are more drought-resistant, the team will next consider which of their cultivated wheat crop offers the best resilience and are able to generate high yields with low irrigation or precipitation