Photosynthesis solutions to enhance productivity

Abstract

The concept that photosynthesis is a highly inefficient process in terms of conversion of light energy into biomass is embedded in the literature. It is only in the past decade that the processes limiting photosynthetic efficiency have been understood to an extent that allows a step change in our ability to manipulate light energy assimilation into carbon gain. We can therefore envisage that future increases in the grain yield potential of our major crops may depend largely on increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis. The papers in this issue provide new insights into the nature of current limitations on photosynthesis and identify new targets that can be used for crop improvement, together with information on the impacts of a changing environment on the productivity of photosynthesis on land and in our oceans.This article is part of the themed issue 'Enhancing photosynthesis in crop plants: targets for improvement'.

Keywords: Calvin–Benson cycle; crop improvement; non-photochemical quenching; photosynthetic efficiency; photosystem II; phytoplankton.

Figure 1.

Images of protective NPQ (a) and the photodamage parameter qPd (b) in Arabidopsis plants (false colour scale), showing that young leaves in the centre of the rosette are less protected than the outer leaves (a, higher pNPQ) resulting in a higher rate of a photodamage (b, lower qPd).

Figure 2.

The epidermis of an Arabidopsis leaf expressing redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein in the cytosol. The image shows a single stomata surrounded by epidermal cells.