Scientists Reveal Hidden DNA in Plants Plays Crucial Role in Photosynthesis

Researchers from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and Michigan State University have uncovered genetic variation in the unexplored DNA of the photosynthetic and energy factories of Arabidopsis plants. Such variation plays a crucial role in photosynthetic efficiency in plants and could pave the way for more productive, climate-resilient crops.

For this research, the team developed a new method for generating so-called cybrids on a large scale. In a cybrid, the original chloroplasts and mitochondria are all replaced by those from another plant. The researchers combined the chromosomes of one of four different Arabidopsis plants with the chloroplasts and mitochondria of one of 60 other Arabidopsis plants and created 240 unique cybrids. The plants came from a wide range of locations un the Arabidopsis plant's natural range across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The efficiency of plant photosynthesis in the field is low compared to solar panels. While plants only utilize about 1% of solar energy, research suggests this could be increased five to six times. Scientists at the Jan IngenHousz Institute are working to unlock this potential. Traditionally, efforts to improve photosynthesis focused on genetic variation in chromosomes. However, the recent discovery of a new mechanism offers broader possibilities for plant scientists to enhance energy production and photosynthesis. This could lead to future crop varieties with improved energy capture and utilization, boosting their growth and yield.

For more details, read the article in WUR News.