Review
Plant Sciences
Robert E. Sharwood, W. Paul Quick, Demi Sargent, Gonzalo M. Estavillo, Viridiana Silva-Perez, Robert T. Furbank
Summary: Improving photosynthetic traits in crops is crucial for increasing yield potential and crop resilience. The use of synthetic biology and genetic technologies allows for the exploration of genetic resources in gene banks to discover novel allelic variation and accelerate genetic progress in crop breeding programs. This article discusses strategies to selectively target allelic variation in key photosynthetic genes and the deployment of this variation through gene editing in modern elite materials.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
David Eyland, Nathalie Luchaire, Llorenc Cabrera-Bosquet, Boris Parent, Steven B. Janssens, Rony Swennen, Claude Welcker, Francois Tardieu, Seabstien C. Carpentier
Summary: This study evaluated genotype-dependent transpiration responses in banana wild relatives and found that they contain useful drought tolerance traits. The research highlights the importance of conserving these wild relatives and their potential for use in breeding programs.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Cristina R. G. Sales, Gemma Molero, John R. Evans, Samuel H. Taylor, Ryan Joynson, Robert T. Furbank, Anthony Hall, Elizabete Carmo-Silva
Summary: Research on the potential of photosynthesis to improve crop yields has led to the identification of breeding targets. The enzyme Rubisco, responsible for CO2 fixation, is inefficient and often limits carbon assimilation in wheat. Two bread wheat lines with similar genetic backgrounds but contrasting Rubisco activity were chosen for detailed study. Phenotypic analysis of photosynthetic traits in these lines showed no difference in Rubisco activity between in vivo and in vitro methods. Additionally, there was no correlation between photosynthetic traits measured in field-grown plants using high-throughput phenotyping. These findings highlight the need to consider the complex interplay between traits and the dynamic environment in breeding strategies for wheat yield improvement.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aaron L. Phillips, Andrew P. Scafaro, Brian J. Atwell
Summary: High temperatures can impair photosynthesis and reduce rice productivity, but heat-tolerant wild rice is able to maintain leaf growth and biomass at 45 degrees C with increased soluble sugar concentrations. Differential abundance of carboxylation and heat-sensitive proteins may contribute to the higher thermal tolerance of wild rice compared to cultivated rice.
PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mao Suganami, Yuji Suzuki, Youshi Tazoe, Wataru Yamori, Amane Makino
Summary: The overproduction of Rubisco often leads to a decline in Rubisco activation, but co-overproducing Rubisco and RCA in transgenic rice plants can enhance photosynthesis within the optimal temperature range. The activation state of Rubisco plays a key role in CO2 assimilation under high-temperature conditions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Taly Trainin, Hillel Brukental, Or Shapira, Ziv Attia, Vivekanand Tiwari, Kamel Hatib, Shira Gal, Hanita Zemach, Eduard Belausov, Dana Charuvi, Doron Holland, Tamar Azoulay-Shemer
Summary: This study explores the carbon gain strategies in two almond species, Prunus dulcis and Prunus arabica. While Prunus dulcis relies on leaves for photosynthesis, Prunus arabica uses its stems, particularly during winter. The anatomical and physiological comparisons reveal unique features in Prunus arabica that support stem photosynthetic capabilities and high-gross photosynthetic rates. These findings are significant for the development of new almond cultivars with agriculturally essential traits.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roman G. Fedunov, Victor A. Sokolov
Summary: The study investigated the mechanism of RuBP in carbon dioxide fixation. Quantum-chemical modeling showed that bridging water molecules and diphosphate groups play a crucial role in RuBP enzyme catalysis, providing proton transfer and reducing reaction barriers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Jim Stevens, Matthew Alan Jones, Tracy Lawson
Summary: Climate change may reduce water availability for crops, but agriculture already consumes a significant amount of water. Stomata play a crucial role in plants, with stomatal response speed to environmental changes being as important as maximal responses. Evidence suggests that traditional and wild barleys have untapped physiological responses that may be of interest to breeders.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gustaf E. Degen, Douglas J. Orr, Elizabete Carmo-Silva
Summary: The wheat genome encodes three isoforms of Rubisco activase with different thermostability, which can be utilized to enhance the crop's resilience to global warming. High temperatures lead to rapid changes in Rca gene expression and adaptive adjustments in the abundance of Rca isoforms in plants.
Review
Plant Sciences
Kaining Jin, Guoxin Chen, Yirong Yang, Zhiguo Zhang, Tiegang Lu
Summary: This review summarizes the strategies for improving C-3 photosynthesis, including enhancing Rubisco properties and reducing photorespiratory limitations. It also discusses the potential of synthetic biology approaches in constructing photorespiratory bypasses. These strategies have the potential to enhance C-3 photosynthesis and boost crop production.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Louis Caruana, Douglas J. Orr, Elizabete Carmo-Silva
Summary: Research has shown that in wheat, the expression of Rubiscosome genes is balanced across the subgenomes, and the expression of the thermo-tolerant Rubisco activase isoform 1 beta increases under heat stress, particularly in the D subgenome. This indicates the need to consider all subgenomes when designing strategies for crop improvement.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Amber M. Hotto, Coralie Salesse-Smith, Myat Lin, Florian A. Busch, Isabelle Simpson, David B. Stern
Summary: This study identified a minimal set of Rubisco assembly factors in plants, which may contribute to regulating the C-4 pathway.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tanner R. Treece, Jake N. Gonzales, Joseph R. Pressley, Shota Atsumi
Summary: Biological chemical production has become a promising renewable alternative to traditional petrochemical synthesis. Photosynthetic microorganisms capable of sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide have gained significant attention in the field of metabolic engineering. However, the intrinsic limitations of carbon fixation and photosynthesis have led to slower growth and lower product titers compared to heterotrophic organisms. Efforts to improve photosynthetic microorganisms as renewable chemical production hosts have focused on rewiring carbon fixation and photosynthesis, investigating alternative carbon fixation pathways, installing sugar catabolism, exploring fast-growing photosynthetic species, and using synthetic biology tools such as CRISPR to alter metabolism.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Myat T. Lin, Douglas J. Orr, Dawn Worrall, Martin A. J. Parry, Elizabete Carmo-Silva, Maureen R. Hanson
Summary: Photosynthetic inefficiency hinders crop productivity and sustainability, but improving Rubisco, a key enzyme in carbon fixation during photosynthesis, is challenging due to its location in the plastome and the plastid's repair system. A study introduced silent mutations into rbcL in tobacco plants to simplify screening, resulting in the successful generation of transplastomic lines with stable point mutations in 40% of transformants. This approach shows promise for mutagenic testing of Rubisco function in tobacco and other crops where chloroplast transformation is possible.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eloy Navarro-Leon, Valeria Paradisone, Francisco Javier Lopez-Moreno, Juan Jose Rios, Sergio Esposito, Begona Blasco
Summary: Salinity is an environmental factor that reduces plant productivity, but modifying Ca2+ cation exchangers (CAX) transporters could increase plant tolerance to salinity. Through Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes (TILLING), researchers generated mutants of Brassica rapa CAX1a transporter, with BraA.cax1a-4 showing improved photosynthetic performance under saline conditions. This study highlights BraA.cax1a-4 as a useful mutation for enhancing photosynthesis in plants grown in saline conditions.
Review
Agronomy
Alain Gojon, Laurent Nussaume, Doan T. Luu, Erik H. Murchie, Alexandra Baekelandt, Vandasue Lily Rodrigues Saltenis, Jean-Pierre Cohan, Thierry Desnos, Dirk Inze, John N. Ferguson, Emmanuel Guiderdonni, Anne Krapp, Rene Klein Lankhorst, Christophe Maurel, Hatem Rouached, Martin A. J. Parry, Mathias Pribil, Lars B. Scharff, Philippe Nacry
Summary: Plant scientists and farmers are facing challenges in providing food security while preserving natural resources and adapting to climate change. Breeding resilient crops and improving nutrient use efficiency are crucial for sustainable agriculture. Understanding the physiological and molecular bases of plant environmental responses is essential, as well as exploring genetic resources and utilizing technological advancements.
FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Erik H. Murchie, Matthew Reynolds, Gustavo A. Slafer, M. John Foulkes, Liana Acevedo-Siaca, Lorna McAusland, Robert Sharwood, Simon Griffiths, Richard B. Flavell, Jeff Gwyn, Mark Sawkins, Elizabete Carmo-Silva
Summary: Source traits, such as photosynthesis, play a crucial role in enhancing crop yield potential. However, for a comprehensive understanding, the interactions of various processes in crop regulation, including sink activities, need to be considered. This review uses 'wiring diagrams' to integrate these interactions and examine the regulation of source traits at different stages of wheat development. The review also discusses challenges and opportunities in photosynthesis components due to canopy formation and the feedback regulation of source activity.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Douglas J. Orr, Alice K. J. Robijns, Christopher R. Baker, Krishna K. Niyogi, Elizabete Carmo-Silva
Summary: This article reviews the complex regulation of Rubisco activity by sugar phosphate derivatives and their phosphatases, and highlights unresolved questions for a better understanding of carbon assimilation regulation.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
John D. Stamford, Jim Stevens, Philip M. Mullineaux, Tracy Lawson
Summary: Determining the optimal light spectrum for crop growth can be challenging and varies depending on the crop species and variety. LED lighting allows for greater control over the light spectrum. This article discusses the roles of different spectral regions and their effects on plant growth and crop quality. It also explores how LED lighting can be used to manipulate plant growth and increase crop productivity, while considering the costs associated with different light treatments.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Elizabete Carmo-Silva, Robert E. Sharwood
Summary: Significant advancements in Rubisco research over the last decade have shed light on the complexity of the CO2-fixing enzyme and its regulation by environmental and cellular factors. This special issue provides a comprehensive overview of various aspects of Rubisco, including functional diversity, folding and assembly, in vivo regulation, and inhibition by sugar phosphate derivatives.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Shellie Wall, James Cockram, Silvere Vialet-Chabrand, Jeroen Van Rie, Alexander Galle, Tracy Lawson
Summary: The ability of plants to respond to changes in environmental conditions is crucial for their survival and reproductive success. The increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration can have a significant impact on crop performance, potentially affecting future food security. This study evaluates the phenotypic variation in wheat relatives and elite bread wheat cultivars, identifying differences in photosynthetic capacity and stomatal responses that could be beneficial for enhancing carbon gain and water use efficiency. Understanding the underlying genetics of these traits will be important for future breeding programs.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Gustavo A. Slafer, M. John Foulkes, Matthew P. Reynolds, Erik H. Murchie, Elizabete Carmo-Silva, Richard Flavell, Jeff Gwyn, Mark Sawkins, Simon Griffiths
Summary: By reviewing the interacting processes determining sink strength and yield potential in wheat, and visualizing them in a set of 'wiring diagrams', the main traits determining sink strength were identified and research gaps were highlighted for achieving gains in sink strength. In the pre-anthesis phase, grain number could be increased through enhanced spike growth and improved fruiting efficiency. In the post-anthesis phase, grain sink strength could be augmented through manipulation of grain size potential and improving spike vascular architecture. The wiring diagrams provide a potential workspace for yield improvement in wheat and other field crops.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Tracy Lawson, Alexandra L. Milliken
Summary: Although leaves are often considered the primary site for photosynthesis, other green nonfoliar tissues also play a significant role in carbon assimilation. Understanding the physiology and contribution of these nonfoliar tissues to overall plant carbon gain has become increasingly important due to the potential improvements it can bring to crop productivity. This review provides an overview of nonfoliar photosynthesis, including the role of stomata in these tissues and the quantification methods used to determine their contribution to overall carbon assimilation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Camila M. Zanella, Marilena Rotondo, Charlie McCormick-Barnes, Greg Mellers, Beatrice Corsi, Simon Berry, Giulia Ciccone, Rob Day, Michele Faralli, Alexander Galle, Keith A. Gardner, John Jacobs, Eric S. Ober, Ana Sanchez del Rio, Jeroen Van Rie, Tracy Lawson, James Cockram
Summary: The wheat flag leaf plays a crucial role in providing photosynthetic assimilates to developing grains. This study investigated the genetic architecture of flag leaf traits in European wheat and identified multiple loci responsible for these traits. A specific genetic locus, FLL5A, was found to increase flag and second leaf length, as well as leaf angle, resulting in larger leaf area. The increased length was associated with changes in cell size and stomatal morphology, suggesting trade-offs between leaf size and stomatal function.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jordan K. Robson, John N. Ferguson, Lorna McAusland, Jonathan A. Atkinson, Christine Tranchant-Dubreuil, Phillipe Cubry, Francois Sabot, Darren M. Wells, Adam H. Price, Zoe A. Wilson, Erik H. Murchie
Summary: Rising temperatures and extreme heat events threaten rice production. Developing heat-tolerant rice is essential for food security. Researchers have developed a high-throughput chlorophyll fluorescence-based screen for photosynthetic heat tolerance, which has identified candidate genes for improving rice's heat tolerance.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ivan Jauregui, Izargi Vega-Mas, Pierre Delaplace, Herve Vanderschuren, Cecile Thonar
Summary: Various plant species can inhibit nitrification through their root exudates, known as biological nitrification inhibition (BNI). Identifying BNI activity in existing germplasms is crucial for mitigating nitrogen losses in agrosystems sustainably.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Taiyu Chen, Marta Hojka, Philip Davey, Yaqi Sun, Gregory F. Dykes, Fei Zhou, Tracy Lawson, Peter J. Nixon, Yongjun Lin, Lu-Ning Liu
Summary: Engineering carboxysomes into crop chloroplasts can enhance photosynthesis and crop yield. The authors successfully engineered functional CO2-fixing modules into tobacco chloroplasts, improving photosynthesis and productivity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
John N. Ferguson, Tamanna Jithesh, Tracy Lawson, Johannes Kromdijk
Summary: Photosynthesis is an important target for crop improvement, but phenotyping photosynthesis in field-grown crops is challenging. Previous studies have attempted to overcome this challenge by phenotyping excised leaf material in the lab, but the representative nature of these measurements compared to attached leaves has not been demonstrated. In this study, we found limited but important differences in photosynthetic traits between excised and attached leaves in tomato, barley, and maize.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lorna McAusland, Liana G. Acevedo-Siaca, R. Suzuky Pinto, Francisco Pinto, Gemma Molero, Jaime Garatuza-Payan, Matthew P. Reynolds, Erik H. Murchie, Enrico A. Yepez
Summary: Nocturnal temperatures have a greater impact on crop productivity than daytime temperatures, and stomatal conductance at night (gsn) plays a significant role in canopy water loss. Studying 12 genotypes of wheat in NW Mexico, an increase in night-time temperatures resulted in decreased grain yields without changes in daytime leaf-level physiological responses. Genotype-specific differences in gsn decrease and acclimation of respiration to higher temperatures were observed under warmer nights. The findings suggest that nocturnal heat tolerance in wheat is independent of resilience to daytime temperatures, raising questions for physiological breeding.