Natural genetic variation in plant photosynthesis

• Published in: Trends in plant science Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 327 - 335
• Main Authors: Flood, Pádraic J, Harbinson, Jeremy, Aarts, Mark G.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2011; [Kidlington, Oxford, UK]: Elsevier Science Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: arabidopsis-thaliana; association mapping population; Biological and medical sciences; Carbon Dioxide - metabolism; Chlorophyll - metabolism; chlorophyll fluorescence; crops; Crops, Agricultural - genetics; Crops, Agricultural - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Genes, Plant; Genetic Variation; genome-wide association; Genotype; leaf photosynthesis; Phenotype; Photosynthesis; Plant Development; Plant Leaves - physiology; Plants - genetics; primary productivity; qtl analysis; Quantitative Trait Loci; recurrent phenotypic selection; rice oryza-sativa; Selection, Genetic; wheat triticum-aestivum; Genetic variability; Plant sciences; Natural; Photosynthesis
• ISSN: 1360-1385; 1878-4372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2011.02.005

Natural genetic variation in plant photosynthesis is a largely unexplored and as a result an underused genetic resource for crop improvement. Numerous studies show genetic variation in photosynthetic traits in both crop and wild species, and there is an increasingly detailed knowledge base concerning the interaction of photosynthetic phenotypes with their environment. The genetic factors that cause this variation remain largely unknown. Investigations into natural genetic variation in photosynthesis will provide insights into the genetic regulation of this complex trait. Such insights can be used to understand evolutionary processes that affect primary production, allow greater understanding of the genetic regulation of photosynthesis and ultimately increase the productivity of our crops.