Abstract: The present disclosure provides a list of genes, and the proteins encoded by these genes, that modulate and/or participate in the synthesis of the biopolymer suberin. The genes described here are useful in methods for producing genetically modified plants or breeding plants with increased or decreased suberin. Such plants can contain modified, mutated, or engineered candidate peptides; or have disrupted or enhanced expression using methods such as clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated (Cas) nuclease, an antisense nucleic acid, a zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), or a transcription activator-like effector (TALE) nuclease. Increased suberin has a positive influence on response to plant water stress and pathogen protection, and a long-lasting role as a carbon sink in soil; and decreased suberin encourages symbioses and nutrient uptake.