Study Finds Narrower Rice Leaves Boost Photosynthesis Efficiency

A new study has found that reducing the width of rice leaves can significantly enhance photosynthesis, potentially leading to higher yields. Published in The Plant Journal, the researchers aimed to uncover key leaf traits that contribute to crop productivity and investigated how leaf width affects photosynthetic performance and water-use efficiency.

The study examined 14 rice genotypes with varying leaf widths and genetically modified rice lines carrying the NARROW LEAF 1 (NAL1) gene. Results showed that plants with narrower leaves exhibited higher photosynthetic efficiency. A 48.2% reduction in leaf width in the modified NAL1-K line resulted in nearly a 50% increase in photosynthetic rate. The narrower leaves led to increased stomatal density and leaf hydraulic conductance.

The findings provided valuable insights into how leaf morphology influences photosynthetic mechanisms. While the narrower leaves improved photosynthesis, the researchers noted that the water-use efficiency did not increase. The study suggests that optimizing leaf width could be a promising strategy for improving photosynthetic capacity in rice.

For more information, read the abstract from The Plant Journal.