What is a substance used to accelerate the drying of plant tissue called?

A substance used to accelerate the drying of plant tissue is called a desiccant. Desiccants work by absorbing moisture from their surroundings, which leads to the rapid drying of plant material. This property is particularly useful in various agricultural practices, horticulture, and post-harvest handling, where minimizing moisture can help prevent decay, reduce the risk of diseases, and enhance the quality of the stored or processed products.

Humectants, while related to moisture, function differently. They are substances that attract and hold water moisture from the atmosphere, which can be beneficial in certain applications like food preservation or cosmetics but not for drying out materials. Adjuvants are typically additives that enhance the performance of pesticides and herbicides, and fertilizers are nutrients supplied to plants to promote growth, which does not pertain to the drying process. Thus, desiccants uniquely fulfill the requirement of accelerating the drying of plant tissues.