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Genes responsible for photosynthesis can increase crop yields

25.11.2016

Krishna Niyogi and his colleagues from the University of California at Berkeley (USA) studied three genes involved in photosynthesis and protecting plant cells from damage. Scientists have found that an increase in the expression of these genes in cultivated tobacco leads to an increase in its yield by 14-20%.

Plants are known to use the energy of sunlight during photosynthesis to take up carbon from the atmosphere and convert it into biomass that we can use as food, fuel and clothing. However, when there is too much sunlight, the chloroplasts in the plant cell can be damaged, so plants are equipped with a defense system. For this purpose, there is a system inside chloroplasts called NPQ (Non Photochemical Quenching). It protects cells from excessive solar radiation. Professor Niyogi compares it to the overpressure mechanism in a steam engine: "NPQ turns on and safely removes excess energy. In the shade, the pressure in the 'engine' decreases. NPQ turns off, but not fast enough. It's like a leak in a system with an open valve." , - he said.

By increasing the expression of three genes involved in NPQ, scientists have ensured that this system turns off faster, and the efficiency of photosynthesis even in dimly lit areas becomes higher.

"We used tobacco as a model crop because it's easy. But we're working to make the same changes in rice and other food crops. The molecular processes we've modified are fundamental to plants that carry out photosynthesis, so we hope to see a similar increase in yields in other crops," said Krishna Niyogi

The work to improve crop yields is becoming increasingly important as the world's population grows. The UN predicts that agricultural production will almost double by 2050 to meet growing demand. So far, yields of the world's major crops are not growing fast enough to meet this need.

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