Tom Quigley3209
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Geneticists fix photosynthesis glitch, boost productivity by 40%
https://newatlas.com/photosynthesis-photorespiration-ripe-crop-boost/57868/
Geneticists have fixed a glitch in photosynthesis, and unlocked an extra 40% boost in plant productivity – which is good news for a hungry planet.
"Photosynthesis, the process by which a plant converts light energy into chemical energy, is not a wholly efficient process. A key stage in the photosynthesis process involves an enzyme called RuBisCO grabbing carbon dioxide molecules. However, around 25 percent of the time RuBisCO incorrectly collects oxygen molecules instead, creating a plant-toxic byproduct that disrupts the entire photosynthesis process. Photorespiration is the process plants use to remove these problematic byproducts.
"Photorespiration is anti-photosynthesis," explains Paul South, lead author on the new research. "It costs the plant precious energy and resources that it could have invested in photosynthesis to produce more growth and yield."
In food crops such as soybean, rice and wheat, it's estimated that photorespiration can take up anywhere from 20 to 50 percent of a plant's photosynthetic energy."
Geneticists have fixed a glitch in photosynthesis, and unlocked an extra 40% boost in plant productivity – which is good news for a hungry planet.
"Photosynthesis, the process by which a plant converts light energy into chemical energy, is not a wholly efficient process. A key stage in the photosynthesis process involves an enzyme called RuBisCO grabbing carbon dioxide molecules. However, around 25 percent of the time RuBisCO incorrectly collects oxygen molecules instead, creating a plant-toxic byproduct that disrupts the entire photosynthesis process. Photorespiration is the process plants use to remove these problematic byproducts.
"Photorespiration is anti-photosynthesis," explains Paul South, lead author on the new research. "It costs the plant precious energy and resources that it could have invested in photosynthesis to produce more growth and yield."
In food crops such as soybean, rice and wheat, it's estimated that photorespiration can take up anywhere from 20 to 50 percent of a plant's photosynthetic energy."
Possible this could lead to faster reforestation and afforestation for carbon sequestration as well..?