Enhancing and manipulating C4 photosynthesis

为了应对世界人口迅速增长而提高作物产量的挑战，显然必须增加单位叶面积的光合作用能力，以提高产量潜力。具有C4光合作用途径的植物是世界粮食生产和生物能源供应的主要贡献者。本研究的目的是探索通过对狗尾草这一模式单子叶C4物种进行定向的分子修饰，以及通过高通量的光合作用荧光成像来提高狗尾草C4光合作用的方法。这将为C4作物改良所需的C4光合作用的速率限制步骤提供新的见解。

To meet the challenge of increasing crop yield for a burgeoning world population, it has become apparent that photosynthetic capacity must be increased per unit leaf area to improve yield potential. Plants with the C4 photosynthetic pathway are major contributors to world food production and bioenergy supply. The aim of this study is to explore ways of enhancing C4 photosynthesis using directed molecular modifications of Setaria viridis, the model monocot C4 species, and through high throughput fluorescence imaging of photosynthesis in Setaria italica accessions. This will provide new insights into rate limiting steps of C4 photosynthesis needed for C4 crop improvement.