Communicating with cotton: CROPPS research in Arizona

In Arizona's arid cotton fields, where every drop of water counts, farmers and scientists face a growing challenge: how to sustain crops in climates that are getting hotter and drier. To help crops adapt and thrive in conditions where resources like water and nitrogen are limited, the Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems(CROPPS) is developing innovative tools to open communication pathways with plants.

This groundbreaking work is now being shared with the public through a collaboration between CROPPS and Molly Edwards '12, the science communicator behind the Science IRL YouTube channel. In a new video debuting Jan. 14, Edwards explores the efforts of CROPPS researchers addressing the impacts of heat and drought on agriculture, showcasing collaborative innovations happening across the network of CROPPS research institutions.

At the University of Arizona, molecular biologist Jesse Woodsonand his team are developing optogenetic tools-light-activated genetic switches-to help plants prepare for stress. These tools enable crops to activate defense mechanisms without experiencing actual damage, triggering signals that can inform human interventions in agriculture.

"This is exciting, because we are applying what we have learned from basic molecular biology to improve crops. Plants are really good at sensing and responding to their environment and we are harnessing that biology to create more sustainable agriculture," said Woodson, associate professor of plant sciences at the University of Arizona.

In the video, Woodson Lab postdoctoral associates Matthew Lemke and Nathaniel Ponvert and graduate student Cristian Salazar De Leon explain how scientists are leveraging specific molecules used by plants-like reactive oxygen species-as signals that can be interpreted and acted upon by humans.

The University of Arizona team's approach to cotton research spans from lab-based experiments to large-scale fieldwork at the Maricopa Agricultural Center, the university's premier testbed for scientific development. At Maricopa, vast data collection efforts are underway to understand how plants respond to environmental stress. Using drones, sensors, and the world's largest phenotyping robot, researchers led by Duke Pauli, associate professor of plant sciences at the University of Arizona, gather detailed information on plant behavior. Graduate students Sebastian Calleja and Clay Christenson are part of the team using the data to create digital twin models-virtual simulations of crops-that allow scientists to predict plant responses to drought and develop targeted resilience strategies.

Meanwhile, at Cornell University, robotics engineer Anand Mishra is creating tube-like robots designed to interact directly with plant roots underground. These robots deliver precise light signals to activate stress-response mechanisms, providing a novel way to support crops in challenging environments.

CROPPS' work extends beyond technological innovation to include meaningful engagement with agricultural communities. Surveys of farmworkers in Arizona offer critical insights into how agricultural technologies are perceived by those who work most closely with crops.

"Our goal is to ensure that these innovations benefit everyone involved, from scientists to farmers to the communities they serve," said Sohinee Bera, a graduate student in communications at Cornell.

The video captures the collaborative efforts of scientists, engineers, and social researchers working together to address the challenges faced in growing food and fiber in a changing world. By combining their expertise, CROPPS researchers are paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.

"It's so amazing to see all of these scientists, all these great minds come together to collaborate and solve these huge problems that we're facing," said Edwards. "This is what happens when we open a dialog with plants. New ways to learn, new ways to communicate, new discoveries and advances that can make our world a better place.

The video is now available on the Science IRL YouTube channel. For more information about the research, visitcropps.cornell.edu.

Matt Hayes is the external relations and communications manager for grant-funded projects in the School of Integrative Plant Science.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.