More water restrictions will soon be enacted and enforced for our county. Several acquaintances, who had proudly showed-off their colorful gardens, have sought drought-resistant plants for their front yards. Drought-friendly grass and smaller lawns, with more rocks and/or mulch are becoming more prevalent in large communities. Native bushes, succulents and cactus are replacing annuals
and flowers that require large and frequent waterings. These things were on my mind when I
found a magazine in the doctor's office.

I was intrigued by the article I read in SCIENCE NEWS, December 1, 2007, page 340,
entitled "So Sproutish, Anti-aging gene for plants gives drought protection."

Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have been experimenting with the gene IPT,
which can delay the affects of drought on tobacco plants (by staying green after 15 days without water) .IPT gene added to a plant stimulates a surge of enzymes that fool the plant into thinking it's
still young. Aging plants drop their leaves and die. Young plants are strong and can withstand
drought conditions. So, this is like an "anti-aging" gene for plants!

Other plant varieties were treated with IPT, which achieved at least 85% of their usual yield.
Eduardo Blumwald of UC says he hopes that IPT will be tested on crops such as wheat and
tomatoes.

At the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, water-thrifty rice,
corn, and cotton are being engineered to survive drought conditions.

While this research is highly commendable and might provide future solutions to our drought,
we are the solution at the moment. So, neighbors, start looking for more cactus or succulents for your garden, rather than showy annuals, and put away your hoses. Mother Nature is in control, but we have to help by conserving what we receive.

Want to read more about IPT? Go to www.sciencenews.org.
See Sun-Sentinel, December 22, 2007, Local, "Builders May See Landscaping Rules."

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