A new study from Tel-Aviv University has shown that CRISPR technology can be used to produce tomato plants that consume less water without affecting yield. The researchers used CRISPR genetic editing to target a gene called ROP9, which controls the opening and closing of stomata, the small openings on plant leaves that regulate water loss and carbon dioxide uptake. By partially closing the stomata, the modified tomato plants reduced water loss without compromising the uptake of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. The study found that the modified plants had no adverse effects on crop quantity or quality, including the amount of sugar in the fruits. The researchers believe that this discovery could pave the way for the development of other crop plants with enhanced water use efficiency.