Bacterial RNA Chaperones Confer Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants and Improved Grain Yield in Maize under Water-Limited Conditions

Limited available water is the single most important factor that reduces global crop yields, with far reaching socioeconomic implications. In North America alone, it is estimated that 40% of yearly maize (Zea mays) crop losses are due to suboptimal water availability (Boyer, 1982). Agriculture currently accounts for 70% of the fresh water used by humans. This rate of water use can exceed local regeneration rates, often relying on underground aquifers that are rapidly being depleted (Morison et al., 2008). The impending scarcity of water available for agriculture will surely increase overall costs of crop production and drive the need for crops that use water more efficiently. While tremendous progress has been made through breeding and through cultural practices that improve maize yields in water-limited environments, the potential for additional large improvements still exists, and positive impacts on yield and increased yield stability across a broad range of water availability is of great value to farmers, consumers, and the environment.