Sage, R.F. and Zhu, Xin-Guang (2011) Exploiting the engine of C4 photosynthesis. Journal of Experimental Botany, 62 (9). pp. 2989-3000.
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Abstract
Ever since the discovery of C4 photosynthesis in the mid-1960s, plant biologists have envisaged the introduction of the C4 photosynthetic pathway into C3 crops such as rice and soybeans. Recent advances in genomics capabilities, and new evolutionary and developmental studies indicate that C4 engineering will be feasible in the next few decades. Furthermore, better understanding of the function of C4 photosynthesis provides new ways to improve existing C4 crops and bioenergy species, for example by creating varieties with ultra-high water and nitrogen use efficiencies. In the case of C4 engineering, the main enzymes of the C4 metabolic cycle have already been engineered into various C3 plants. In contrast, knowledge of the genes controlling Kranz anatomy lags far behind. Combining traditional genetics, high-throughput sequencing technologies, systems biology, bioinformatics, and the use of the new C4 model species Setaria viridis, the discovery of the key genes controlling the expression of C4 photosynthesis can be dramatically accelerated. Sustained investment in the research areas directly related to C4 engineering has the potential for substantial return in the decades to come, primarily by increasing crop production at a time when global food supplies are predicted to fall below world demand
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Crop improvement; C4 engineering; C4 evolution; photosynthesis |
| Author Affiliation: | Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S3B2 Canada |
| Subjects: | Crop Improvement |
| Divisions: | Other Crops |
| Depositing User: | Ms K Syamalamba |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Aug 2011 09:00 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Aug 2011 09:00 |
| Official URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/err179 |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/2581 |
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