Scientists find genetic modification can boost photosynthesis

According to a science news website, scientists at the University of Illinois in the United States have found that genetically modifying photosynthesis can increase crop yields by 20%. The United Nations has predicted that by 2050, human food demand will increase by 70%. The researchers pointed out that this latest discovery will help meet the huge food demand generated by future population growth.

When sunlight is very intense, plants activate a defense mechanism called "non-photochemical quenching" by converting excess energy into heat. However, once the light becomes dim, this protective mechanism takes half an hour to switch over, thus missing the window for crops to carry out photosynthesis.

Using a gene transformation technique, scientists solved this problem by promoting 3 photosynthesis-related proteins, after which crops were able to recover photosynthesis more quickly. The experiment was conducted on 3 varieties of tobacco leaves, and the results showed that two varieties increased yield by 20%, while the third variety increased yield by 14%.

This latest research report was published in a recent issue of the journal Science. (Hua Dong)