Curated Papers > High-impact authoritative literature in "Synthetic Biology"

Improving photosynthetic efficiency for greater yield.

Literature Information

DOI	10.1146/annurev-arplant-042809-112206
PMID	20192734
Journal	Annual review of plant biology
Impact Factor	26.5
JCR Quartile	Q1
Publication Year	2010
Times Cited	553
Keywords	photosynthetic efficiency, crop yield, biotechnology
Literature Type	Journal Article, Review
ISSN	1543-5008
Pages	235-61
Issue	61()
Authors	Xin-Guang Zhu, Stephen P Long, Donald R Ort

TL;DR

This study highlights that while the yield of major food grain crops has significantly increased over the past 50 years, future enhancements will largely depend on improving photosynthetic efficiency, which has been largely overlooked until now. By addressing inefficiencies in photosynthesis through classical breeding and advanced biotechnological approaches, such as optimizing leaf display and engineering carboxylases for higher CO2 concentrations, it is possible to substantially increase crop yields, with the potential to more than double them.

Search for more papers on MaltSci.com

photosynthetic efficiency · crop yield · biotechnology

Abstract

Increasing the yield potential of the major food grain crops has contributed very significantly to a rising food supply over the past 50 years, which has until recently more than kept pace with rising global demand. Whereas improved photosynthetic efficiency has played only a minor role in the remarkable increases in productivity achieved in the last half century, further increases in yield potential will rely in large part on improved photosynthesis. Here we examine inefficiencies in photosynthetic energy transduction in crops from light interception to carbohydrate synthesis, and how classical breeding, systems biology, and synthetic biology are providing new opportunities to develop more productive germplasm. Near-term opportunities include improving the display of leaves in crop canopies to avoid light saturation of individual leaves and further investigation of a photorespiratory bypass that has already improved the productivity of model species. Longer-term opportunities include engineering into plants carboxylases that are better adapted to current and forthcoming CO(2) concentrations, and the use of modeling to guide molecular optimization of resource investment among the components of the photosynthetic apparatus, to maximize carbon gain without increasing crop inputs. Collectively, these changes have the potential to more than double the yield potential of our major crops.

MaltSci.com AI Research Service

Intelligent ReadingAnswer any question about the paper and explain complex charts and formulas

Locate StatementsFind traces of a specific claim within the paper

Add to KBasePerform data extraction, report drafting, and advanced knowledge mining

Primary Questions Addressed

1. What specific methods in classical breeding are being explored to enhance photosynthetic efficiency in major crops?
2. How do systems biology approaches complement traditional breeding techniques in improving crop yield through photosynthesis?
3. What are the potential impacts of engineering carboxylases on the adaptability of crops to changing CO2 concentrations?
4. In what ways can modeling be utilized to optimize resource allocation in the photosynthetic apparatus for maximum yield?
5. What role does the design of crop canopies play in preventing light saturation, and how can this be effectively implemented in agricultural practices?

Key Findings

Key Insights

1. Research Background and Objective

Over the past 50 years, the yield potential of major food grain crops has significantly contributed to the global food supply, keeping pace with increasing demand. However, improvements in photosynthetic efficiency have played a relatively minor role in this productivity surge. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the inefficiencies in photosynthetic energy conversion in crops and explore how advancements in breeding, systems biology, and synthetic biology can lead to substantial enhancements in crop yields through improved photosynthesis.

2. Main Methods and Findings

The study examines various aspects of the photosynthetic process, from light interception to carbohydrate synthesis, identifying key inefficiencies that hinder optimal productivity. Several innovative approaches have been proposed:

• Classical Breeding: Traditional methods are being utilized to develop germplasm that exhibits better photosynthetic characteristics.
• Systems Biology: This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions within the photosynthetic pathway, facilitating targeted improvements.
• Synthetic Biology: Engineering efforts are focused on creating crops with enhanced traits, such as improved carboxylases that can efficiently utilize current and future CO₂ levels.

Near-term opportunities identified include:

• Optimizing leaf display within crop canopies to reduce light saturation on individual leaves.
• Further exploration of a photorespiratory bypass mechanism that has already shown promise in enhancing the productivity of model species.

Longer-term strategies involve:

• Engineering carboxylases for better adaptation to changing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations.
• Utilizing modeling techniques to optimize the molecular investment in various components of the photosynthetic apparatus, thereby maximizing carbon gain without necessitating increased crop inputs.

3. Core Conclusions

The research concludes that there are significant opportunities to enhance the yield potential of major crops through improved photosynthetic efficiency. The combination of classical and modern biotechnological approaches can lead to breakthroughs that may potentially double the yield of staple crops. The study emphasizes that addressing the inefficiencies in photosynthesis is crucial for meeting future food demands amid rising global populations and changing environmental conditions.

4. Research Significance and Impact

This research holds substantial significance for global food security, as it provides a pathway to sustainably increase crop yields in the face of growing demand. By focusing on enhancing photosynthetic efficiency, the findings could revolutionize agricultural practices and contribute to a more resilient food supply system. The integration of advanced breeding techniques and biotechnological innovations not only promises higher productivity but also aligns with the goals of sustainable agriculture, reducing the reliance on external inputs and minimizing environmental impacts. Ultimately, these insights could help ensure food availability for future generations while addressing the challenges posed by climate change and resource scarcity.

Literatures Citing This Work

1. Next-generation protein-rich potato expressing the seed protein gene AmA1 is a result of proteome rebalancing in transgenic tuber. - Subhra Chakraborty;Niranjan Chakraborty;Lalit Agrawal;Sudip Ghosh;Kanika Narula;Shubhendu Shekhar;Prakash S Naik;P C Pande;Swarup Kumar Chakrborti;Asis Datta - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2010)
2. Structural model and spectroscopic characteristics of the FMO antenna protein from the aerobic chlorophototroph, Candidatus Chloracidobacterium thermophilum. - Jianzhong Wen;Yusuke Tsukatani;Weidong Cui;Hao Zhang;Michael L Gross;Donald A Bryant;Robert E Blankenship - Biochimica et biophysica acta (2011)
3. How do we improve crop production in a warming world? - Elizabeth A Ainsworth;Donald R Ort - Plant physiology (2010)
4. Genetic variation in biomass traits among 20 diverse rice varieties. - Courtney E Jahn;John K Mckay;Ramil Mauleon;Janice Stephens;Kenneth L McNally;Daniel R Bush;Hei Leung;Jan E Leach - Plant physiology (2011)
5. Increasing photosynthetic carbon assimilation in C3 plants to improve crop yield: current and future strategies. - Christine A Raines - Plant physiology (2011)
6. Optimizing antenna size to maximize photosynthetic efficiency. - Donald R Ort;Anastasios Melis - Plant physiology (2011)
7. Does enhanced photosynthesis enhance growth? Lessons learned from CO2 enrichment studies. - Miko U F Kirschbaum - Plant physiology (2011)
8. Combining enhanced root and shoot growth reveals cross talk between pathways that control plant organ size in Arabidopsis. - Liesbeth Vercruyssen;Nathalie Gonzalez;Tomás Werner;Thomas Schmülling;Dirk Inzé - Plant physiology (2011)
9. A new dawn for industrial photosynthesis. - Dan E Robertson;Stuart A Jacobson;Frederick Morgan;David Berry;George M Church;Noubar B Afeyan - Photosynthesis research (2011)
10. TaNF-YB3 is involved in the regulation of photosynthesis genes in Triticum aestivum. - Troy J Stephenson;C Lynne McIntyre;Christopher Collet;Gang-Ping Xue - Functional & integrative genomics (2011)

... (543 more literatures)

---

© 2025 MaltSci - We reshape scientific research with AI technology