Protecting crops from drought damage

British research could help American drought problemsBRITISH scientists are investigating ways to protect crops from drought damage by using special compounds that reduce water loss. All plants lose water from their leaves and if this is more than what is available in the soil, growth is reduced. Antitranspirants decrease this water loss by acting as ‘waterproofing’. This technique is commonly used on Christmas trees, to reduce water loss and needle drop, but is not so commonly used in crop protection. The work is being conducted at Harper Adams University College in Shropshire,