From glossy to glaucous: How <i>TaMYB96-2D</i> controls wax deposition and drought resilience

The plant cuticle is a hydrophobic barrier that covers aerial plant organs and provides protection against biotic and abiotic stresses, including pathogens, herbivores, drought, and excess light (Gonzlez-Valenzuela et al., 2023).The cuticle limits water loss and restricts access to underlying epidermal cells.Structurally, it consists of a cutin polyester matrix overlaid and impregnated with cuticular waxes derived from very-long-chain fatty acids.These wax components largely determine cuticle permeability and surface properties, directly linking wax composition to cuticle function.Cuticle composition varies among plant species, organs, and developmental stages,