Seminar 16: Improving yields

Question 1

What was the RIPE project

Answer 1

improving yields via altered photosynthesis

Question 2

What were the targets for RIPE crop improvement?

Answer 2

model photosynthesis
relax photoprotection
photorespiratory bypass
RuBP regeneration
improve RuBisCOs
optimize canopies
algal mechanisms
mesophyll conductance
advance translance of traits

Question 3

How can we improve yield by NPQ

Answer 3

make it more efficient

Question 4

What is NPQ

Answer 4

non-photochemical quenching
excess energy released as heat
during sunlight to protect against bleaching

Question 5

High sunlight leads to

Answer 5

CO2 fixation and NPQ activation

Question 6

what is NPQ regulated by

Answer 6

pSbS and xanthophyll cycle

Question 7

how is NPQ turned off

Answer 7

zeaxanthin via ZEP to become violaxanthin which stops blocking CO2 fixation

Question 8

How to improve yield via reduced photorespiration

Answer 8

making 3-phosphoglycerate from 2-phosphoglycerate is costly so create alternative pathway to prevent waste of energy

Question 9

How can we introduce alternate pathways for photorespiration into chloroplast

Answer 9

glycolate to glycerate
glycolate to malate
glycolate to malate with different enzyme

Question 10

How can we improve yield by speeding up photosynthesis (1)

Answer 10

improve bottleneck in plastocyanin section of electron transport chain

Question 11

How can we improve yield by speeding up photosynthesis (2)

Answer 11

faster SBPase enzyme to convert CO2 to RuBP