Photosynthesis – the process used by plants to convert light energy into the chemical energy that fuels growth – is one of nature’s most crucial chemical reactions. And an international team of scientists (mainly from US and British universities) now believe they can use a genetic “hack” to make the process more efficient, and, in so doing, substantially boost yields of key food crops. In many plants, it turns out, photosynthesis is subject to a serious glitch: a fifth of the time, the enzyme responsible for capturing CO2 from the atmosphere grabs oxygen molecules instead. Plants thus affected then produce toxic compounds that have to be recycled through an energy-intensive process known as photorespiration, which stops plants growing to their full potential.

But by genetically “tweaking” the cells of tobacco plants, the scientists of the Ripe (Realising Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency) project – heavily funded by Bill and Melinda Gates – have succeeded in making photorespiration more efficient. When the modified plants were grown outdoors, yields increased by as much as 40%. The team are now trying to apply the technique to crops affected by photorespiration, including rice, wheat, soybean and potatoes. If successful – and if the resulting GM crops pass the requisite safety tests – they predict that the impact on agriculture could be as transformative as the Green Revolution of the 1950s. (The Times, London)

My comment: it’s good to be able to report some good news! However, what we don’t know id how climate change is going to affect worldwide agricultural areas. I refer to higher temperatures, wildfires, sudden and unprecedented downpours, hurricanes anf high humidity. If this new “tweaking” counteracts all this then we are onto something positive.