Theoretical approaches for reducing eioenergetic costs and enhancing plant productivity

Abstract

Minimizing unproductive energy expenditure is an attractive approach for enhancing plant productivity, without having to increase CO₂ and nutrient assimilation. In the light of future prospects and potential of genetic engineering for crop improvement, some approaches for reducing bioenergetic costs have been discussed. Probable approaches could be: reduction in (a) multiple copies of DNA in chloroplast and mitochondria, (b) photo-and dark respiratory losses, (c) dispensable plant parts and components, and (d) improving the carboxylation efficiency of ribulose his phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.