Improving photosynthesis and crop productivity by accelerating recovery from photoprotection

TLDR

Crop leaves dissipate excess absorbed light as heat in full sunlight, and when shaded by clouds or neighboring leaves this protective dissipation persists for minutes, lowering photosynthesis. The study seeks to accelerate recovery from photoprotection in Nicotiana to boost photosynthesis under fluctuating light. The authors engineered a faster response to natural shading events, increasing leaf CO₂ uptake and plant dry‑matter productivity by about 15%. Calculations indicate that prolonged photoprotective dissipation can cost crops up to 20% of potential yield, and the engineered plants achieved a 15% productivity gain, proving the concept for a sustainable yield increase in crops.

Abstract

Crop leaves in full sunlight dissipate damaging excess absorbed light energy as heat. When sunlit leaves are shaded by clouds or other leaves, this protective dissipation continues for many minutes and reduces photosynthesis. Calculations have shown that this could cost field crops up to 20% of their potential yield. Here, we describe the bioengineering of an accelerated response to natural shading events in Nicotiana (tobacco), resulting in increased leaf carbon dioxide uptake and plant dry matter productivity by about 15% in fluctuating light. Because the photoprotective mechanism that has been altered is common to all flowering plants and crops, the findings provide proof of concept for a route to obtaining a sustainable increase in productivity for food crops and a much-needed yield jump.