Plant Productivity

Plant productivity can be related to biomass. Biomass is produced by photosynthesis and is measured in units of dry organic matter (kg/m²/yr). The higher the biomass, the greater the productivity. When farmers talk about crop yields, they are hoping for high levels of plant productivity. Plant productivity is directly related to the metabolic process of photosynthesis.

There is not enough food, such as wheat and corn, being stored or grown to support both human consumption and biofuel production. Booming populations and a switch to meat-rich diets in the developing world have increased the demand for wheat and rice.

How can photosynthesis-related technologies help this potential crisis?

Supercharged Photosynthesis

In 2015, MIT Technology Review put genetically engineered photosynthesis on their list of top 10 Breakthrough Technologies. Plants like sugar cane and maize use a different, more productive type of photosynthesis than most agricultural crops; it is called C4 photosynthesis. Scientists are trying to engineer other crops such as rice to use C4 photosynthesis.

Can you think of other ways that farmers can increase productivity?