62 newly discovered plants may help agricultural lands facing water crisis.

A recent study conducted by scientists from the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) Pune has discovered 62 desiccation-tolerant vascular plant species in the western ghats that can thrive under harsh conditions and may have potential to help agricultural land with limited water resources.

The Ministry of Science and Technology reported on Wednesday that these plants possess the ability to endure extreme dehydration, losing up to 95 per cent of their water content and reviving themselves when water becomes available again.

This unique characteristic enables them to thrive in harsh and arid environments where most other plants cannot survive. The study highlights the potential applications of these desiccation-tolerant plants in agriculture, especially in areas facing water scarcity.

BS