b"To Eat or to Breathe:That is the QuestionNew molecular insights into plant decision-making could shape the next generation of seed traits for a hotter, drier world.By Aimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. EditorPLANTS MAY LOOKquiet, but inside their leaves, there's a constant negotiation underwayone that can mean the difference between growth and drought-induced death. Penn State University professor of plant biology Sarah Assmann is leading a new study that finally reveals the molecular messengers that coordinate this life-critical conversation.Published in Nature Plants, the research uncovers how sugars and maleic acid act as internal signals, telling spe-cialized guard cells when to open the plants stomata, the microscopic pores that let in carbon dioxide for photosyn-thesis but also release water vapor. The findings solve a decades-old biological mystery and could reshape efforts to improve water use efficiency in crops, especially under climate stress.This discovery significantly advances our understand-ing of how plants coordinate their internal metabolismthe chemical reactions they use to make energywith their external environment, says Assmann. Our findings open doors for future research into improving plant resil-ience and crop yields.For seed developers and breeders, the breakthrough offers a novel pathway to enhance drought tolerance and optimize water use in key cropspriorities that have grown urgent under shifting climate conditions.A Mystery 40 Years in the MakingAssmann first became intrigued by the idea of an internal plant messenger when she was a graduate student in the 1980s. Though researchers had long known that light triggered stomatal opening, there was also evidence of a chemical cue coming from within the leaf.30/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2025"