Compositions and methods for mediating plant stomatal development in response to carbon dioxide and applications for engineering drought tolerance in plants
In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions and methods for manipulating the exchange of water and/or carbon dioxide (CO2) through plant stomata by controlling the expression of a novel apoplastic subtilisin-like serine endopeptidase-like protein. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides plants having increased water use efficiency, and drought-resistant plants; and methods for engineering of water transpiration and water use efficiency in plants, and engineering plants with increased water use efficiency and drought-resistant plants.