15-IWYP Realising increased photosynthetic efficiency to increase wheat yields

对包括小麦在内的大田中二氧化碳浓度增加的影响的大量研究表明，通过增加光合作用的碳同化可以提高作物产量。此外，申请人的实验室在转基因植物上进行的实验中，个别酶的活性发生了变化，这提供了证据，表明操纵卡尔文循环有可能改善光合作用，提高植物生产力。这些研究与综合系统模型一起，确定了光合碳同化是一个尚未开发的目标，可以将光合作用效率和产量提高高达60%。该项目的总体目标是利用在模式物种中光合作用的广泛知识和操作经验来培育出具有增强的光合作用性能和增加产量的小麦植株。我们将在强光控制的环境中对转基因植物进行生长、产量、生理和分子分析，并在英国和伊利诺伊州的重复田间试验中测试这些最有希望的事件。鉴于我们的目标是进一步提高产量，我们将使用两个现代高产品种，一个适应欧洲西部的温带条件，另一个适应美国中西部的高湿度和高温。每种药物都将在其“原生”环境中进行重复试验。使用这两种截然不同的生长环境和遗传背景将检验转基因改良的更广泛效果，为发展中国家生产高产品种提供坚实的基础。

Numerous studies of the effects of CO2 enrichment in the field, including wheat, show that increased crop yields can be obtained through increased photosynthetic carbon assimilation. Furthermore, experiments conducted in the applicant's laboratories on transgenic plants, in which activities of individual enzymes were altered, provided evidence that manipulation of the Calvin cycle has the potential to improve photosynthesis and increase plant productivity. These studies together with integrated systems modelling identified photosynthetic carbon assimilation as an untapped target to increase photosynthetic efficiency and yield by as much as 60%. The overall aim of this project is to exploit the extensive knowledge of photosynthesis and experience gained from its manipulation in model species to produce wheat plants with enhanced photosynthetic performance and increased yield. We will undertake growth, yield, physiological and molecular analysis of transgenic plants in high-light controlled environments, and test the most promising events these in replicated field trials in the UK and in Illinois. Given that our aim is to further increase yields we will be using two modern top yielding cultivars one adapted to W. European temperate conditions and the other to the US Midwest with high humidity and high temperature. Each will be tested in replicated trials in their "native" environments. Use of these two very different growing environments and genetic backgrounds will test the broader efficacy of the transgenic modifications to provide a sound basis for the production of higher yielding varieties for the developing world.