Light Regulation of Stomatal Development and Patterning: Shifting the Paradigm from Arabidopsis to Grasses

The stomatal pores of plant leaves control gas exchange with the environment. Stomatal development is prevised regulated by both internal genetic programs and environmental cues. Among various environmental factors, light regulation of stomata formation has been extensively studied in Arabidopsis. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the genetic control of stomata development and its regulation by light. We also present a comparative analysis of the conserved and diverged stomatal regulatory networks between Arabidopsis and cereal grasses. Lastly, we provide our perspectives on manipulation of the stomata density on plant leaves for the purpose of breeding crops that are better adapted to the adverse environment and high-density planting conditions.