Crop Photosynthesis

Since photosynthetic performance is a fundamental determinant of yield in the vast majority of crops, an understanding of the factors limiting photosynthetic productivity has a crucial role to play in crop improvement programmes. Photosynthesis, unlike the majority of physiological processes in plants, has been the subject of extensive studies at the molecular level for many years. This reductionist approach has resulted in the development of an impressive and detailed understanding of the mechanisms of light capture, energy transduction and carbohydrate biosynthesis, processes that are clearly central to the success of the plant and the productivity of crops. This volume examines in the widest context the factors determining the photosynthetic performance of crops. The emphasis throughout the book is on the setting for photosynthesis rather than the fundamental process itself. The book will prove useful to a wide range of plant scientists, and will encourage a more rapid integration of disciplines in the quest to understand and improve the productivity of crops by the procedures of classical breeding and genetic manipulation.

This collection reviews the wealth of research on the different ways of improving C3 photosynthesis in crops and how to use this knowledge to achieve sustainable improvements in yields in the face of climate change.

This volume provides a unique comparative treatment of annual and seasonal photosynthetic production in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

A guide to environmental fluctuations that examines photosynthesis under both controlled and stressed conditions Photosynthesis, Productivity and Environmental Stress is a much-needed guide that explores the topics related to photosynthesis (both terrestrial and aquatic) and puts the focus on the basic effect of environmental fluctuations. The authors—noted experts on the topic—discuss photosynthesis under both controlled and stressed conditions and review new techniques for mitigating stressors including methods such as transgeneics, proteomics, genomics, ionomics, metabolomics, micromics, and more. In order to feed our burgeoning world population, it is vital that we must increase food production. Photosynthesis is directly related to plant growth and crop production and any fluctuation in the photosynthetic activity imposes great threat to crop productivity. Due to the environmental fluctuations plants are often exposed to the different environmental stresses that cause decreased photosynthetic rate and problems in the plant growth and development. This important book addresses this topic and: Covers topics related to terrestrial and aquatic photosynthesis Highlights the basic effect of environmental fluctuations Explores common stressors such as drought, salinity, alkalinity, temperature, UV-radiations, oxygen deficiency, and more Contains methods and techniques for improving photosynthetic efficiency for greater crop yield Written for biologists and environmentalists, Photosynthesis, Productivity and Environmental Stress offers an overview of the stressors affecting photosynthesis and includes possible solutions for improved crop production.

The photosynthetic fixation of carbon dioxide into organic compounds is mediated by the enzyme ribulose 1,S-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase. The diversity of current research on this protein attests to its central role in biomass productivity, and suggests the importance of a timely and broadly based review. This Symposium was the first devoted exclusively to RuBP carboxylase and was attended by agronomists, plant physiologists, biochemists, molecular biologists, and crystallographers. Special efforts were made to involve young scientists in addition to established investigators. It is a pleasure to acknowledge financial support provided by the Department of Energy, the United States Department of Agricul ture, and the National Science Foundation, and the valued assistance of agency representatives, Drs. Joe Key, Robert Rabson, Elijah Romanoff, and Donald Senich. Thanks are due to Mrs. Margaret Dienes, without whose editorial skills this volume could not have been produced, and to Mrs. Helen Kondratuk as Symposium Coordinator. Finally, we wish to record our indebtedness to Dr. Alexander Hollaender for his tireless efforts in support of all aspects of this Symposium.