Can Boosting Photosynthesis Efficiency Improve Crop Yields?

Photosynthesis efficiency is very low, averaging 1-3.5% in the fields, and is the next bottleneck for increasing grain production. Photosynthesis has not been a primary target of improvement in crop breeding programs aimed at increasing yields. Scientists estimate that photosynthesis efficiency must be increased by 50% to meet future global food security requirements. The rate… Continue reading…

What Is Transpiration Efficiency and Why Does It Matter for Drought-Resistant Farming?

Transpiration efficiency is emerging as a crucial crop parameter to improve production in water-limited conditions. Restricting transpiration by crops is a vital strategy to increase productivity using less water. External factors like VPD, soil type, and nutrient status are also necessary to increase transpiration efficiency. Society must figure out ways to grow more food for… Continue reading…

Five Ways To Increase Harvest Index

Improving the harvest index is crucial for economic and ecological reasons. The means to increase the harvest index can vary with the crops. Plant breeding is more critical for maize, while irrigation practices are vital for rice. Growth regulators that increase source activity and strengthen sinks are needed in pineapple, while growth retardants to limit… Continue reading…

How Improving Transpiration Efficiency in Crops Boosts Yield

Transpiration is essential for crop survival, growth, and productivity, but high rates cause significant water losses. The effect of environment and genetics on transpiration is used to dodge adverse effects on yield. Mechanisms and traits like antitranspirants, limited transpiration, and transpiration efficiency can improve yields with less water use. Agriculture uses nearly 75% of global… Continue reading…

Why Forest Protection Is Crucial for Our Future

Forest protection limits the various biotic and abiotic factors or their effects that reduce or degrade forests. Plant Science provides the theoretical basis for protecting forests. It focuses on tree morphology, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry to monitor structure, growth, function, and stress management. Advanced precision tools used onsite or remotely estimate several plant parameters non-destructively… Continue reading…

How Plant Science is Advancing Sustainability in Agriculture

Sustainability in Agriculture covers economic profits, environmental health, and social equity. Sustainable agriculture involves safeguarding humans, conserving natural resources, and improving the quality and quantity of profitable production throughout the food supply chain. Plant science aims to increase productivity with less inputs, chemicals, and water and more reliance on natural processes and onsite resources. Plant… Continue reading…

Understanding Drought Resistance Strategies: A Guide to Plant Adaptation

Drought Resistance Strategies include any plant mechanism that responds and adapts to drought, commonly called drought resistance. Plants use drought escape mechanisms to prevent encountering climatic established drought conditions by altering their lifespan. Drought avoidance strategies avoid the adverse impacts of mild and acute drought on cells by reducing plant water loss. Stress tolerance mechanisms… Continue reading…

Understanding Drought Impact on Crop Yield: Stages, Mechanisms, and Adaptations.

Drought’s impact on crop yield affects plant stages differently, moderated by genotype and external environmental factors. Very early drought can inhibit germination and seedling establishment, reducing stand density and yield. Drought during reproductive and grain filling can reduce yield quantity and quality more than during the growth phases. Drought is the primary environmental stress crop… Continue reading…

Measuring Heat Stress on Forest Trees

The impact of high temperatures directly and alone on trees is significant without the associated drought. Heat effects are recorded at cellular, leaf, and tree levels, inhibiting tree growth and productivity or even mortality. More research is necessary to fully understand the effects of heat stress, which must be supported by on-site, non-destructive data collection… Continue reading…

Microalgae and Artificial Photosynthesis for Renewable Energy

Microalgae’s natural photosynthesis, which uses carbon dioxide in the presence of sunlight, is harnessed to produce electricity and biofuels for renewable energy. Artificial photosynthesis, biomimics, and natural photosynthesis use semiconductors to capture light and fix ambient CO2. Artificial photosynthesis systems produce two types of fuels: hydrocarbons (methane, methanol, and formic acid) and pure hydrogen. Challenges… Continue reading…