Improving Crop Yield

Question 1

What is the RIPE project?

Answer 1

Realizing increased photosynthetic efficiency.
They look at improving NPQ, altering photorespiration, improving photosynthesis.

Question 2

How can NPQ be improved and what does this cause?

Answer 2

By expressing 3 genes:
- VDE
- ZEP
- Psbs
tobacco: 14-20% increase in biomass
soybean: 30% increase in biomass

Question 3

How can photorespiration be altered to improve yield and what does it result in?

Answer 3

Alternative pathway 3
Introduces 2 genes:
- Cucurbita maxima malate synthase
- Chlamydomonas reinhardtii glycolate dehydrogenase
Results in higher photosynthetic rate and increased quantum yield.

Question 4

What do AP3 (alternative pathway 3) plants do?

Answer 4

Develop faster, grow taller and produce 40% more biomass.

Question 5

What are the 2 ways photosynthesis can be sped up?

Answer 5

• Faster electron transport
• Faster calvin cycle

Question 6

How is electron transport sped up?

Answer 6

Adding in cytochrome complex from red algae:
- FBP/SBPase
- SBPase
- SBPase + cytochrome c6

Question 7

How is the calvin cycle sped up and how much did yield increase in the greenhouse?

Answer 7

Adding faster FBP/SBPase from cyanobacteria.
52% increase yield in greenhouse