CLE25 peptide enhances drought tolerance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) by inducing abscisic acid biosynthesis.

GhCLE25 induction in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is linked to higher drought tolerance, with CLE25 peptide treatment increasing ABA and stomatal closure.

• Why it matters: Drought limits crop productivity, and although AtCLE25 works in Arabidopsis thaliana, GhCLE25’s regulatory mechanism in cotton is unclear.
• What they did: GhCLE25 was tested in cotton using virus-induced gene silencing and exogenous CLE25 peptide under natural and PEG 6000-simulated drought, measuring stomatal behavior, water loss, drought tolerance, ABA, and ABA metabolism gene expression.
• The result: Silencing GhCLE25 decreased ABA content and reduced NCED2/NCED3/NCED5/NCED9 while increasing CYP707A1, lowering LEA and RD29B, whereas CLE25 peptide showed the opposite trends and improved drought tolerance.

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