Optimising photosynthesis for environmental fitness

Abstract

Optimisation of photosynthesis for environmental fitness is one of the most important approaches to increase productivity and acclimate plants to unfavourable environmental conditions. In this paper, the pathways of optimisation of photosynthesis are considered using novel tools both at the level of an individual plant and plant communities. Fast acclimation of photosynthetic apparatus to the environmental stresses and fluctuations of light intensity and light quality plays an important role in supporting effective photosynthesis. The bioengineered photosynthetic systems responsible for energy dissipation (non-photochemical quenching) and stomatal functioning, as well as some enzymes of CO 2 fixation system alongside with introduction of effective mechanisms found in algae or cyanobacteria into chloroplasts, can be used for conservation of effective photosynthesis during such fluctuations. The conversion of some C3 crops grown in hot and arid climates into C4 plants may be a goal for the future. Special focus has been directed towards the detailed description of the photosynthetic optimisation under stress conditions taking into account the specifics of the most common stress factors.

Plants’ Physio-Biochemical and Phyto-Hormonal Responses to Alleviate the Adverse Effects of Drought Stress: A Comprehensive Review

“…Plants must capture light and use it during the photosynthesis process. Under drought stress, the chlorophyll concentration is dramatically reduced due to increased oxidative stress, degeneration, or photo-oxidation of chlorophyll pigments [76]. Drought sensitivity in (Triticum aestivum L.) was predominantly connected with reductions in stomatal conductance, which decreased the delivery of carbon dioxides to chloroplasts and, consequently, reduced net photosynthesis [77,78].…”

Effect of three water-regimes on morpho-physiological, biochemical and yield responses of local and foreign olive cultivars under field conditions

“…In the study of Calvo-Polanco et al [44], the drought treatment induced a significant reduction in the leaf Chl content of olive trees. These pigments are crucial components for Photosystems II and I and light-harvesting complexes (LHC), and oxidative stress can cause their photo-oxidation and degradation, affecting photosynthesis more than the restriction of CO 2 caused by stomatal closure during water deficit [45,46]. However, the drought stress-related restriction to CO 2 uptake caused by leaf stomata closure varies among plant species, so drought tolerance depends on the cultivar [47].…”

Intraspecific variation in photosynthetic efficiency in soybean (Glycine max L.) varieties towards solar ultraviolet radiations

“…Optimization of photosynthesis is one of the utmost significant approaches for environmental suitability to increase crop yield and acclimatize plants to adverse abiotic stress conditions (Brestic et al 2018(Brestic et al , 2021Allakhverdiev 2020). Photosynthesis is the foremost sensitive physiological process influenced by UV-B radiation in photosynthetic organisms , Sharma et al 2019, Joshi-Paneri et al 2020, as it is directly linked to biomass production and yield; therefore, it is essential to deepen the knowledge of the impact of UV-B stress on plant photosynthesis Ramalho 2011, Lidon et al 2012).…”