Scientists at the University of Illinois have engineered a unique strain of yeast that efficiently produces 2,3-butanediol through a fermentation process. The resulting product, once heat-treated, can be used directly on crops to promote drought tolerance. This strain is unlike existing microorganisms currently used for bio-synthesis of 2,3-butanediol which are all pathogenic bacteria. This strain is also more efficient at producing 2,3-butanediol than other yeast strains that have been developed with minimal ethanol, acetoin, and glycerol by-products.