Enhancing photosynthetic efficiency is crucial for improving crop yields and addressing global food security challenges amid climate change. Researchers are investigating various innovative strategies to optimize the photosynthetic process, including genetic engineering and molecular breeding techniques. These approaches focus on improving light capture, carbon fixation efficiency, and the utilization of alternative electron transport pathways. By engineering plants with enhanced photosynthesis capabilities, scientists aim to develop crop varieties that can thrive in suboptimal environmental conditions, such as drought or nutrient deficiency. This not only contributes to sustainable agricultural practices but also increases biomass production, which is essential for biofuel generation and carbon sequestration. As the world faces the challenge of feeding a growing population, advancements in photosynthetic efficiency hold great promise for the future of agriculture.
Title : Preventing/minimizing development of resistance in fungal plant pathogens to fungicides
Mohammad Babadoost, University of Illinois, United States
Title : Mycorrhizae and their role in climate resilience in agricultural systems
Mary Cole, The University of Melbourne, Australia