Domestication reduces drought tolerance in watermelon through loss of root plasticity traits
Or Emma Shemer, Zvi Menachem Bloom, Shira Gal, Gadi Peleg, Amnon Cochavi
This study compares drought tolerance traits in wild and domesticated watermelon, finding that domestication reduces root plasticity, limiting water acquisition from deeper soil layers.
bioRxiv · Feb 12, 2026 · PreprintPlant Biology