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Addition of longer wavelength absorbing chlorophylls into crops could increase their photosynthetic productivity by 26%

Author

Listed:
  • Yu Wang

    (Nanjing University
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

  • Thomas J. Oliver

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Roberta Croce

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Stephen P. Long

    (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Abstract

Crop leaves absorb approximately 90% of visible photons (400 – 700 nm) but transmit or reflect most far-red (FR) photons (700 – 800 nm). However, some cyanobacteria use FR photons up to 800 nm by incorporating chlorophyll (Chl) d or/and f into their photosystems. Here, we use a 3D canopy model to evaluate whether introducing these pigments could improve photosynthetic performance of field grown soybean. We simulate photon absorption and CO2 assimilation show that the introduction of Chl d and f would significantly enhance photosynthesis, especially in the lower canopy, where visible light is depleted and FR light is abundant. When FR absorption is regulated by phytochrome-sensed FR/red (FR/R) photon ratio, the benefit is further increased, with canopy CO2 assimilation improving up to 26%, without increasing the risk of photodamage. These results show that introducing FR-absorbing Chls into crops could have great value in boosting productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu Wang & Thomas J. Oliver & Roberta Croce & Stephen P. Long, 2025. "Addition of longer wavelength absorbing chlorophylls into crops could increase their photosynthetic productivity by 26%," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62885-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62885-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vincenzo Mascoli & Ahmad Farhan Bhatti & Luca Bersanini & Herbert Amerongen & Roberta Croce, 2022. "The antenna of far-red absorbing cyanobacteria increases both absorption and quantum efficiency of Photosystem II," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Myat T. Lin & Alessandro Occhialini & P. John Andralojc & Martin A. J. Parry & Maureen R. Hanson, 2014. "A faster Rubisco with potential to increase photosynthesis in crops," Nature, Nature, vol. 513(7519), pages 547-550, September.
    3. Michael Kühl & Min Chen & Peter J. Ralph & Ulrich Schreiber & Anthony W. D. Larkum, 2005. "A niche for cyanobacteria containing chlorophyll d," Nature, Nature, vol. 433(7028), pages 820-820, February.
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