A non-rectifying potassium channel increases cassava drought tolerance and storage root yield
Authors: Zierer, W., Fritzler, M., Chiu, T. J., Anjanappa, R. B., Chang, S.-H., Metzner, R., Quiros, J., Lamm, C. E., Thieme, M., Koller, R., Huber, G., Muller, O., Rascher, U., Sonnewald, U., Neuhaus, H. E., Gruissem, W., Bellin, L.
Category: Plant Biology
Model Organism: Manihot esculenta
▶ AI Summary
Expressing the Arabidopsis thaliana non‑rectifying K⁺ channel AKT2var in cassava vascular tissue enhanced electron transport, CO₂ assimilation, and bulk flow, leading to improved source‑sink carbohydrate transport. These physiological gains translated into significantly higher storage‑root yields and greater drought tolerance in both greenhouse and multi‑year field trials. The results suggest targeted K⁺ transport manipulation as a viable strategy to boost cassava productivity under limited inputs and climate stress.